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THE WELCOME SERIES 


MARCH, 1899 


SoCents ] 


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<i|i:|!i| 


m\ 1803 


MY LADY’S BANNER 


A NOVEL 


BY' 


HEBER K. DANIELS 


AUTHOR OF 

“ Digby Ravelyn,” “Tales of a Terrace/’ etc., etc. 




NEW YORK 

THE HOME PUBLISHING COMPANY 


3 East Fourteenth Street 




m vr. ''/n <wrj'jor^ 'fr. ya <UKrjonrju r/A vr.c^y: y/ ^ o 






Entered at the Postoffice at New York as second-class mail matter 





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My Lady’s Banner 


V' 

HEBER K. DANIELS 

AUTHOR OF “DIGBY RAVELYN,” “OUR TENANTS,” “TALES 
OF A TERRACE.” ETC. 


I 





NEW YORK 

THE HOME PUBLISHING COMPANY 

3 East 14TH Street 


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CONTENTS 


PAGE 

CHAPTER I. 

A Modern Barbarian 7 

CHAPTER 11 . 

‘‘Bravo! He Has Thrown Him into the Moat I”. . 18 

CHAPTER III. 

The Lover Cometh 27 

CHAPTER IV. 

The Banquet in the Castle 36 

CHAPTER V. 

The Painter Suarez 46 

CHAPTER VI. 

The Enchanted Youth 54 

CHAPTER VIL 

“ O, World of all Outduring Perfidy! ” 65 

CHAPTER VIII. 

Suarez Intercepts the Postal Messenger 74 

CHAPTER IX. 

Miss Mercedes Speaks Her Mind 83 

CHAPTER X. 

The Fete at Tarnworth. 96 

CHAPTER XL 

“ Oh, Evelyn, Do You Think We’re in a Trap? . iii 


CONTENTS 


PAGE 

CHAPTER XII. 

The Blind Fury of a Great Passion 124 

CHAPTER XIII. 

“ The Honour of Becoming This Traitor's Execu- 
tioner ” 138 

CHAPTER XIV. 

An Englishman’s Fight for His Sweetheart’s Free- 
dom 148 

CHAPTER XV. 

Scarce one Step from the Dungeon to the Altar.. 164 
CHAPTER XVI. 

‘‘Evelyn, Look But Once upon Me! ” 181 

CHAPTER XVII. 

A Revolution Gone to Pieces 194 

CHAPTER XVIII. 

Sweet, Innocent Little Mercedes 202 

CHAPTER XIX. 

Pepe Tomas Remembers He Was Once a Bandit.. 21 1 
CHAPTER XX. 

The Pass in the Pyrennes 225 

CHAPTER XXI. 

The Fight by the Mountain River 23^4 

CHAPTER XXII. 

The Agony of “ Our Lady ” 242 

CHAPTER XXIII. 

“ This Is My Love ! ” 255 


MY LADY’S BANNER, 


CHAPTER I. 

A MODERN BARBARIAN. 

The autumnal storm had spent its fury upon the 
Cotswolds, and the clamorous wrack of thundercloud 
was passing heavily away to the northeast under stress 
of the equinoctial winds, leaving the dripping soli- 
tudes of hill and dale to the silver light of the ascend- 
ing moon. 

On such a night as this the ancient castle of Tarn- 
worth, rising sheer from the waters of the Cotsbourne, 
with its surroundings of wooded pleasaunce and roll- 
ing hills, was never at such an advantage from a 
weirdly picturesque point of view. 

The outer bailey, or esplanade, of the castle, together 
with its barbican, had long since disappeared with the 
ages when their uses were more than justified by cur- 
rent events, and had given place to the more modern 
pleasaunce, or park — a terraced and wooded inclosure 
of vast extent and of a rare beauty. But there still 
remained the stately and massive keep, and some 
half-a-dozen small crenulated towers flanking the in- 


8 


MY lady’s banner. 


ner bailey, with its chapel, its hall, and the residence 
of the family; the whole circumscribed by an embat^ 
tied wall of enormous solidity and strength. 

On the south side of the castle all access had dis- 
appeared with the bridge, which the present owner 
had not vouchsafed to replace, when time and last 
year’s freshet had carried it away; and the only visible 
means of entry was on the north side, at the lodge 
gates adjoining the public road — at the bottom of the 
pleasaunce grounds before referred to; and, through 
the latter, over the drawbridge crossing the moat, and 
thus, under the heavy main gateway into the inner 
courtyard, or bailey. 

Contrary to custom, the titular hamlet of Tarnworth, 
instead of being grouped about the castle base, lay 
some three miles further away to the north, in a de- 
pression among the hills; the castle itself, standing 
alone on the hillside, in evidence of the hereditary 
exclusiveness of the Diarroghs, whose last representa- 
tive, Sir Balefred, had but recently passed away — 
leaving the estate of his Welsh ancestors to his widow, 
the beautiful, if mysterious, Rufina del Montefuego, 
whom he had met and married during his life-long 
sojourn in northern Spain. 

Of the lady herself little was absolutely known. She 
had, from the very outset (even in her husband’s life- 
time), met the advances of the neighboring squire- 
archy with such marked uncordiality that she was 


MY lady’s banner. 


9 


soon relegated to that condition of social isolation to 
which she seemed to aspire. 

Personally, she was seldom seen. Thickly veiled, 
and reclining in the corner of the , family phaeton, she 
was swiftly conveyed at eventide from the castle to the 
station, and from the station to the castle (again after 
dark) during her periodical visits to the Continent. 
Yet, always alone, or under the guidance of her ma- 
jor-domo — a man of herculean build, and as voiceless, 
and generally uncommunicative, as his beautiful mis- 
tress. For beautiful she certainly was, notwithstand- 
ing that she had earned for herself the unenviable so- 
briquet of My Lady Sinister of Castle Dangerous.” 

Scarcely had the din of the wrangling elements 
subsided in the distance when the uproar was taken 
up by the clamor of human voices in dispute at the 
lodge gates — interpolated at intervals by a howl of in- 
articulate rage. 

“ Ay, shout your worst, ye old tongueless devil ! ” 
cried the first voice, tauntingly, '' for we’re neither 
afraid of yourself nor your witch of a mistress up at 
the castle! What say you, William?” 

“ Right, lad,” replied the second voice in the same 
loud key. ‘‘ Things have come to a turn, indeed, 
when an Englishman mayn’t stand under a wall for 
shelter without being driven off like a dog by the 
paid bully of a foreign gypsy! Put up your stick, man, 
or by all that’s living, we’ll lay that long body of yours 


lO MY lady's banner. 

out on the road, for the first coroner to sit upon." 

Nevertheless the two last speakers, despite their 
tall words, were slowly backing away along the white 
road before the threatening approach of the gigantic 
major-domo, who, with uplifted staff, and face con- 
torted with passion, was clearly bent upon courting 
the peril they had predicted for him. 

The retreat soon generated into a rout — the pursued 
having greeted the advancing janitor with a volley of 
road-metal, and, without waiting to survey the result, 
had incontinently turned and fled. The pursuer, with 
the blood streaming from a wound on his face, and 
roaring aloud with a passion, to which the obvious ab- 
sence of a tongue admitted of no verbal expression, 
ran swiftly after them; and so, amidst a storm of oaths 
and bellowings, they disappeared in the darkness up 
the hillside. 

It was at this juncture that a youth and maid, com- 
ing up the road from the opposite direction, halted in 
the moonlight before the open wicket gate of the 
lodge, and, with one accord, stood gazing at each other 
in silence, and after the manner of those who, having 
gotten themselves into some species of scrape, mutely 
appeal to one another by look for some means of 
succor from their predicament. 

The state of their apparel, apart from the mud-be- 
spattered condition of their bicycles, on which they 
had toiled up the slope, was clearly indicative of a long 


MY lady’s banner. 


1 1 

and wearisome journey, and the pallid face of the girl, 
with its anxious, not to say alarmed expression, only 
too obviously pointed to a state of physical collapse. 
The youth had noted the look with undisguised con- 
sternation, and taking the handlebars from her trem^ 
bling grasp, conducted the machine into the castle 
grounds; and having placed it, together with his own 
roadster, against the walls of the lodge, returned to 
her side — only in time to catch her in his arms as she 
was about to sink to the ground. 

Marion, my darling, you are completely knocked 
up! I can not hear of your journeying another step. 
The village is at least three miles further ahead, and 
you must not dream of reaching it in your present 
weak condition. Come, there is a light inside. Let 
us go in and rest awhile, and to-morrow we will pro- 
ceed to Bristol by train.” 

‘‘ It is only a momentary faintness, Evelyn,” she 
replied, with a brave little attempt at rally. I — I — 
will be quite strong again — believe me, I will — after 
a few minutes’ rest. That last hill, in the rain, was a 
little too much for me. Don’t let us go in — pray, do 
not, dear. I don’t like the look of the place. It seems 
uncanny! Besides, the people may object to it.” 

Object! Surely they would never be so inhuman 
as to refuse you shelter on a night like this, my poor 
child!” 

It was customary with him to refer to her in this 


12 


MY lady’s banner. 


paternal fashion on occasion. Her fragile form of 
almost fairy-like beauty seemed to demand it of him. 
But they were little better than boy and girl lovers 
nevertheless, being yet in their teens, though the 
sturdy appearance of Evelyn Barley — a very Prince 
Charming among youths, with his crisp brown curls 
and fresh, clear-cut features — seemed, so far as he was 
concerned, to denote a maturer age. 

'' Come, come, Marion, you must really defer to me 
now/^ he went on with a cheery smile, as he passed 
his arm tenderly about her waist. When we are 
married, and settled into the ways of fogydom, then, 
perhaps, I may have to withdraw my prerogative. But 
for the present, my dear, you must obey me. Come 
along.” 

She rewarded this sally with a look of innocent and 
loving trustfulness as together they passed under the 
gateway and into the domains of My Lady Sinister 
of Castle Dangerous.” 

The door of the lodge was closed and locked, and 
despite repeated hails and a vigorous appeal to the 
knocker on the part of young Barley, there was no 
response from within. Before them, in the broad 
moonlight, a stately avenue of cedar and elm stretched 
away into the distance to a point where the castellated 
pile of Tarnworth rose in all its somber and medieval 
grandeur. 

Notwithstanding her sudden terror and extreme 


MY lady's banner. 


13 


dislike of the place, her increasing weight on his arm 
and the deathful pallor that was now in her cheeks, 
led him to set off suddenly up the avenue, with only 
one object in his half-distracted mind, and that, at 
all hazards, to reach some place where she might 
be safely housed, and receive the care which her 
alarming condition of prostration seemed so urgently 
to call for. 

Trust all to me, my darling," he murmured in her 
ear, as, half leading, half carrying her slight figure in 
his powerful arms, he pressed swiftly onward under 
the shadow of the elms — his eyes strained on a distant 
light in the castle, and his heart, against hers, beating 
fiercely in his commiseration and anxiety for his young 
love. See, there is a light in the castle — a shadow 
has passed before it. Someone will be there to lend 
us aid. Courage, Mabs — only a few steps further." 

‘‘ Yes, Evelyn, dear, I trust — I trust," was all the 
response the poor girl was capable of, as the lids 
drooped wearily down over the dark gray eyes, and the 
little head, with its aureola of blonde tresses, sank 
heavily on his shoulder. 

She has fainted — my poor, worn-out little Mabs," 
muttered the youth as he kissed her cold cheek, and 
then, taking her up into his arms, proceeded at a 
running pace toward the castle. 

Crossing the drawbridge over the moat, he made for 
the portcullis entrance; but finding it closed, and the 


14 


MY lady’s banner. 


windows in its proximity in darkness, he turned off to 
the left in the direction of the solitary light shining 
from a lower apartment. Halting on the graveled 
walk, he called up loudly for help; but the only 
response to his summons was the multitudinous 
echoings of his voice among the angles of the walls, 
or a sleepy caw of a startled rook high up in the ivies 
of the main tower. 

He laid his burden tenderly down in a natural bower 
formed by a cluster of myrtles under the castle wall, 
and removing his coat, placed it gently under the 
unconscious little head of his lady-love. Then, start- 
ing off at a run, and aided by the bright moonlight, he 
commenced a rapid tour of search along the confines 
of the castle, and was rewarded at length by the dis- 
covery of a small postern door, which, to his surprise 
and delight, yielded to his efforts, and gave access to 
a small anteroom — from whence a dimly-lit corridor 
led, as he surmised, into the private rooms of the 
resident family. 

Passing onward through a miscellaneous collection 
of armor and implements of bygone warfare, as rap- 
idly as the semi-darkness would admit of, he shortly 
found himself in what appeared to him to be a vast 
room of state; the walls were hung with Venetian mir- 
rors, old needlework tapestry, and a number of price- 
less originals of the old masters; and, distributed about 
the polished oak floor-space was a quantity of richly 


MY lady’s banner. 


15 

carved and ponderous oak furniture — with here and 
there a rare table in buhl or marquetry. The few lights 
burning in the enormous cut-glass chandeliers above 
revealed the open doorway on the opposite side; and 
passing through this, he found himself in the state 
bedroom appertaining to the apartment which he had 
just quitted. 

Without pausing, except to note that this room also 
was unoccupied, he passed through it, and entered a 
third room, paneled in white and gold, whose appoint- 
ments were, if anything, of a more sumptuous descrip- 
tion than either of the two he had seen. 

Sick at heart, and worried to distraction at the 
thought of the young girl in all her helplessness out- 
side, he was about to call aloud for assistance when his 
eyes fell upon a large oil painting that rested upon an 
easel at the further end of the room, and troubled in 
mind as he was, he could not restrain the exclama- 
tion of surprise and admiration which the imperial and 
lovely majesty of that presentment evoked. 

The painting was still in a somewhat unfinished state 
— indeed, the paraphernalia of the artist and the chair, 
or rather the throne, of the sitter were close at hand; 
but the head and bust had received their last deft 
touches, and represented a woman, apparently of about 
twenty-six years of age — of an exquisite, if, perhaps, 
repellent beauty, robed in purple velvet, and seated 
upon a throne of ivory. 


1 6 MY lady’s banner. 

The face might have been that of a Silome, a Judith, 
an Herodias — the queenly Juno herself on receiving 
tidings of her lord’s misdoings: so disdainful and hard 
the full glance of those eastern, heavy-lidded dark eyes 
— so little softened by the masses of raven-hued locks 
that clustered on the low, broad, and olive-tinged 
brow. The small, cruel-looking mouth, with its short 
upper lip, and the crimsoned lines drawn slightly 
downwards at the corners — as though in contempt for 
the awe-inspired gazer — was further accentuated by 
the resoluteness of the chin; though the general ap- 
pearance of hauteur in this fascinating portrait was 
somewhat redeemed by the soft lines of femininity ap- 
parent in the rare contour of the cheeks, the stately 
rounded throat, and the voluptuous bust — revealed, in 
part, by a tightly fitting bodice, cut low and squarely 
in front. 

Truly the artist, whoever he might have been, had, 
in his endeavor to reproduce nature, done more than 
well; for it was with almost an effort that the youth 
was able to withdraw his gaze from those eyes, whose 
sinister depths seemed to threaten doom to the rash 
intruder. 

He was about to turn away from the portrait and 
quit the rooni, when a concealed door in the paneling 
before him softly opened, and the tall form of a lady 
robed in a purple velvet — the exact replica of the 
painting on the easel — stood framed in the dark 


MY lady’s banner. 


17 


opening, and who, on seeing a stranger in the apart- 
ment, started suddenly, and then, her heavy brows 
contracted with displeasure, and her dark eyes alight 
with the baleful glow that was wanting in the portrait, 
stood gazing upon the devoted youth with all the 
resentment of a surprised Artemis, 


i8 


MY lady’s banner. 


CHAPTER II. 

bravo! he has thrown him into the moat! ” 

Long and fixedly did the Lady of the Castle — the 
mysterious Rufina del Montefuego, Lady Diarrogh — 
eye the temerous youth before she ventured to address 
him; and as she gazed, the double furrow of displeasure 
on her brow softened and disappeared, and her eyes 
were disposed to scan his features a little less un- 
kindly; for she had noted the look of awed admira- 
tion that had been transferred from the portrait to 
herself, and — well, she was a woman, and could ill 
afford to undervalue the implied compliment. 

For one brief moment her glance had wandered 
away to her favorite bust of Antinous in its niche with- 
in the alcove, and in the comparison set up in her mind 
between the handsome young East-Anglian and the 
ill-fated Bithynian youth the former lost nothing by 
the process. 

For, indeed, he was personable far beyond the ordi- 
nary, was this young Lincolnshire gentleman. Stand- 
ing there before her — little, if at all abashed — ^his 
frank, healthy young face flushed with the excitement 
of the occasion, his large brown eyes sparkling with 


MY lady’s banner. 


19 


pleasure at the thought of his sweetheart’s impending 
succor, his well-set head with its profusion of chestnut- 
brown curls thrown slightly back with the dare of 
young manhood, the firmly knit jersey-clad body on 
the sturdy limbs, whose shapely calves were well set off 
by the knickers of cycledom — standing before her 
thus, we say, with these featurely and personable attri- 
butes, he had, in her opinion, a decided advantage 
over the beautiful Bithynian by virtue of his sheer mas- 
culinity, and in so far as the absence of effeminacy is 
always a certain passport to a woman’s favor. 

She moved out toward him with a regal step, and 
having acknowledged his bow with some condescen- 
sion, addressed him in a rich low voice in which there 
was little, if any, trace of a foreign accent. 

Why are you here, sir? My castellan has orders to 
permit no one within the castle precincts without my 
special order.” 

In a few hurried and eager words he informed her 
of the predicament in which he and his cousin had 
found themselves, and he implored her immediate aid 
on behalf of his fair comrade, whom he had left out- 
side in such terrible need. 

During his recital she had seated herself quietly on 
the ivory chair of state, and sat looking down into 
his excited and pleading face with some appearance of 
interest on her Sphinx-like features. 

You say she is outside and indisposed — this Miss 


20 


MY lady's banner. 


Wilton. I am sorry for her. Sorry for my sex, for 
they should know better than to indulge in such mad 
enterprises. How came you to be permitted to enter 
here? What could Breconridge have been thinking 
about to sanction it? Have you been directed? Tell 
me — quick? " 

There was a look of eager suspicion in her eyes as 
she put the question to him, although it was speedily 
dispelled by the ingenuousness of his reply. 

Believe me, madam, I had no intention of intruding 
on your privacy. I found the lodge gates open, and 
the lodge itself untenanted, and my cousin’s condition 
of health was my sole excuse for entering and seeking 
for the help she so sorely stands in need of. Oh, you 
will send someone with me to her at once — will you 
not? She may even at this moment be at death’s 
door.” 

In his terrible despair, and scarcely knowing what 
he was doing, he had seized her by the hand and was 
standing awaiting her answer to his appeal in breath- 
less anxiety. 

At the touch of his hand and the meeting of their 
eyes she had crimsoned to the brows, and, for the first 
time for many a year, the dark languorous orbs 
drooped in confusion before the gaze of another. 

'‘Stay!” she cried, in a voice that had evidently 
been ever used to command, as he was about to rush 
from the room with some frantic notion in his head of 


MY lady’s banner. 


21 


making his appeal to some other less inhuman than this 
dispassionate fair. '' I will summon help, and have her 
brought here to us.” 

His murmured words of sincere gratitude were cut 
short by a piercing scream that floated in through the 
open casement, followed by a piteous cry of '' Evelyn! 
Evelyn! Help me! ” 

Dashing from the room, without word of apology to 
Lady Diarrogh, young Darley (nearly overturning a 
man who had entered quietly from behind them) made 
his way in headlong flight along the series of apart- 
ments into the corridor, and from thence into the castle 
grounds. 

Quick, Diego! hasten after him! ” cried the Lady 
Rufina, in Spanish, to the astonished newcomer — a 
lean-visaged, though handsome young man of artistic 
appearance, as he stood staring at her in speechless 
wonder at the suddenness of the phenomenon. No 
questions, but follow the English youth to the castle 
main entrance with all speed, and before any mischief 
shall arise. Then conduct him and the young lady to 
my presence. Not a word, Sehor — go! ” 

In her eagerness she had pushed him from her to- 
ward the door, and, with a muttered as my lady 
pleases,” he sped after the young man as rapidly as his 
bewildered condition would admit of. 

Left to herself, her bosom filled with sentiments of 
quite an abnormal kind, the lady of the castle hied 


22 


MY lady’s banner. 


her to the casement, and with flushed cheeks and 
eager eyes leaned far out into the bright moonshine 
to reconnoiter the position below. 

The scene that lay outstretched before her was 
beautiful in the extreme. The park, in the ethereal 
light of the full white moon, presented a panorama 
so fay-like in its loveliness, with its contrasts of 
shadow and sheen, of silver-tipped boscage and 
moony dell, that Mab and all her attendant sprites 
must surely that night have met and danced upon its 
lawns, or along the banks of the lilied moat beneath. 

But the beauties of the landscape had little fascina- 
tion for the proud surveillance of the imperious chate- 
laine. Her eyes had become riveted upon a group of 
dark forms by the drawbridge, toward whom a solitary 
figure was flying along the terrace with the speed of 
desperation. 

''Forbear, you rash boy; they will surely harm 
you! ” she exclaimed with unwonted animation as she 
recognized young Barley, and divined his immediate 
purpose of assault and battery upon the group afore- 
said, conspicuous among whom towered the figure of 
Breconridge, her castellan, with Marion Wilton in 
his grasp and defiance to the pursuer in his aspect, as 
he essayed to drag the shrieking maid across the 
bridge into the park. 

"Well done! Bravo, my Antinous! ’’ she continued 
with uncontrolled glee, clapping her jeweled hands 


MY LADY S BANNER. 


23 


together as the fleeing figure, launching itself among 
the crowd of pursuivants, and, scattering them to the 
right and left like ninepins, bore down upon the de- 
voted Breconridge with the resistless fury of one pos- 
sessed. 

He has him by the throat! The girl is released! 
See — they struggle together on the bridge! They are 
down — the youth is underneath. Nay, caramba! but 
he is up again, and has the other around the waist 
with a grip of steel! Bravo! Bravo! Madre de Dios! 
What is this he would do? He has thrown the invin- 
cible Breconridge over the bridge into the moat. Let 
the dog drown, for he has been remiss in his duty. 
See, see, the rest are about to close in upon him! 
Dare to touch him, ye curs, and you shall all be sent 
forth to starve. Oh, do not hurt him! Stay, it is 
Diego! They have learned my wishes then, these 
dogs, and, gracias a mi Dios, all will be well! Yes, 
they come this way. I must prepare suitably to re- 
ceive them!’’ 

As she turned with flashing eyes and heaving bosom 
from the window, she perceived, with an angry start, 
that she had not been alone, and that her excited com- 
ments had apparently been overheard by the tall, 
sombre-looking Spaniard, who, wrapped in the heavy 
folds of his dark mantle, his arms folded on his breast, 
had entered the room unheard, and was now confront- 
ing her with a look of vexed surprise. 


24 


MY lady's banner. 


''You here, Don Domingo!" she exclaimed with 
considerable asperity, and stamping her small foot 
petulantly on the polished floor. '' How often have I 
told you that your visits must be announced? I will 
not have my privacy thus intruded upon with impun- 
ity. Pray you leave the room, for I am undisposed 
to see you to-night ! " 

'‘But, Rufina — sister!" he stammered, somewhat 
crestfallen under the scornful scrutiny of those bril- 
liant eyes, as he held up one hand deprecatingly. " I 
was informed by Mercedes that you were sitting for 
your portrait to Diego, and naturally enough consid- 
ered I was justified in entering. Besides, sister mine," 
he added with a searching look, " I called to you twice, 
but, caramba, you appeared to be so occupied with, 
events outside the castle that you heard me not! May 
I ask what is the meaning of this uproar which has 
even reached my apartment and caused me to seek 
you here? " 

She had recovered herself in a measure now, and 
with a glance of the coldest indifference, swept scorn- 
fully by him and took her former seat on the raised 
dais as she replied to him in a tone of icy coldness — 

" An Englishman has wandered into the castle in 
aid of his companion, a young lady in distress, and 
has been interfered with by Breconridge. I have 
sent for them. That is all." 

" But he has seen you — this Englishman, whom 


MY lady’s banner. 


25 


you but recently apostrophized at yon window — he 
has been with you here! ” exclaimed the Spaniard 
hotly, as his sallow cheeks fired with annoyance. 
‘‘Have a care, sister! Have a care!” 

“You forget yourself, Don Domingo!” 

'' N ombre de Dios! Forget myself, madam! Do 
you wish to ruin all?” 

“ And why ruin all, Senor, if I choose to extend my 
hospitality for one night to strangers in distress? ” 

“ I will tell you, Senora. Because you are a woman, 
and susceptible. Because the most sacred cause of 
‘el Senor ’ will be more than jeopardized by the in- 
trusion of a native into our counsels. Forbear, I tell 
you! Let them depart this night, this hour, in peace. 
I know the ways of women’s hearts, oh, my sister. 
Yours, God be thanked, has hitherto — even as a wife 
— had no experience of the fierce madness of this pas- 
sion of love, much less of a hopeless love. Beware, 
then, the beginning! It is not too late. Sister, hear 
me, I beseech you, before the moment has passed 
forever! ” 

In his agitation he had thrown himself upon his 
knees at her feet, his hands held up to her in sup- 
plication, and his dark features convulsed with anger 
and despair. 

She rose suddenly to her feet, and with a contemp- 
tuous sweep of the hand, and a voice trembling with 
constrained passion, she bade him also arise. 


26 


MY lady's banner. 


'' Less loud, Senor, for they are already within the 
castle on their way to this room, and it will be to your 
benefit that no word of this foolish rhodomontade 
shall reach their ears. For, by all the saints in the 
calendar, el Senor himself included, I will brook no 
interference, brother, in the personal concerns of my 
establishment. How dare you! Stand away from 
me, sir, and, mark you, if you so much as offer to 
insult these my guests by a word or a look during 
their stay, then, Senor, the interests of the ‘cause ’ will 
indeed be jeopardized, and on your head will rest the 
consequences." 

She had hissed the words in his face with an ex- 
pression of countenance that was not at all pleasant 
to witness, and as he retired from her side, cowed, 
and meekly repentant under the fury of her speech and 
the bitterness of that terrible look, she added, with a 
refinement of malignity that caused him to fairly wince 
again : 

“ Pray you dissemble those petulant grimaces, my 
brother — they do not become you — and be prepared 
to receive my guests with the utmost courtesy. So, 
so; that is better. Now, vaya con diablo!^* 


MY lady’s banner. 


27 


CHAPTER III. 

THE LOVER COMETH. 

El Senor IngleSy y la Senorita, my lady!” an- 
nounced Diego Suarez, the painter, as he entered the 
room accompanied by young Darley, Miss Wilton, 
and some half a dozen cloaked and swarthy looking 
gentlemen of foreign aspect — behind whom the re- 
doubtable major-domo slunk in, considerably subdued 
in look, and bearing unpleasant traces of his recent 
immersion. 

'' Mi pohre, Don Carlos, 1 feared as much ! ” mut- 
tered Don Dorningo in his beard as his eyes fell upon 
the young Englishman, flushed with excitement, his 
hair disheveled, and leading by the hand his little 
sweetheart, now somewhat recovered from her indis- 
position and fright, and presenting, with her soft, 
Greuze-like features and sunny hair, a striking con- 
trast to the dark faces about her. But dissembling 
quickly at a glance from his imperious sister he 
greeted the young girl with a profound bow, and, bid- 
ding her welcome in fairly good English, led her by 
the hand to Lady Diarrogh, who, completely trans- 


28 


MY lady's banner. 


formed in the interval, was" now graciousness itself 
as she hastened forward with a ravishing smile to 
kiss her guest's cheek affectionately, and, with pro- 
fuse apologies for the recent mitretemps, to seat her 
by her side. 

Ah, Mercedes! " she cried to a young maiden who 
had entered the room at this juncture, and now stood 
gazing from face to face with unmitigated surprise. 

See, what a misfortune has befallen this young lady 
to-night, during a madcap tour from Lincoln to Bris- 
tol with her cousin, the young sehor here. They have 
been overtaken by the storm, and have appealed to 
my hospitality for a night's shelter. It is theirs, of 
course, with all my heart, and I only regret that their 
sudden advent should have subjected them to some 
rudeness from my major-domo. You will take the 
young lady to the suite of rooms in the Knight's Tow- 
er, and afford her a complete change of apparel; and, 
if she is sufficiently recovered, she will rejoin us at 
supper in the hall. Go, mi pobresUa, Mercedes will 
see to your needs; and to-morrow, after breakfast, we 
will have a long, long talk, familiarmentey before your 
departure." 

'' They will not remain, then, Gracias a Dios ! " 
muttered Don Domingo with a sigh of relief; though 
some feeling of regret seemed to rise within him, 
nevertheless, as he boldly eyed the winsome young 
girl who pressed so closely to her lover's side. 


MY LADY S BANNER. 


29 


As for you, Sefior,” continued Dona Rufina, turn- 
ing to the pleased youth with a gracious face, on which 
not a particle of her former austerity was apparent, 
'' Don Domingo, my brother, will conduct you to 
your room, and see to your needs. You will rejoin 
us with Miss Wilton at table, and then we shall hear 
a little more of this delightful little escapada — so Eng- 
lish in its incomprehensibleness, which has afforded 
us the pleasure of entertaining you in our poor house.^' 
May I go, Evelyn? ” asked the young girl of him, 
as she still held him by the hand and looked about 
her a little apprehensively. 

“Why, of course, Marion!’’ he replied, with a re- 
assuring smile, as he relinquished her to the young 
lady who had been addressed as Mercedes. “ You 
will be all the better for the complete change of those 
damp clothes, and for a long rest. Lady Diarrogh — 
to whom, I am informed, I have the honor of speaking 
— for myself, and on behalf of Miss Wilton, I have 
to thank you most heartily for this unexpected kind- 
ness; and I only regret that our appearance should 
have been the cause of the unpleasant little misun- 
derstanding that recently occurred outside. Perhaps 
these gentlemen will now accept my apologies, very 
sincerely offered? ” 

“ My countrymen will most certainly accept them, 
Senor,” put in her ladyship hastily, in view of the 
anything but friendly looks with which her com- 


30 


MY lady’s banner. 


patriots still regarded him. It was a pure mistake 
— regrettable, of course, but a mistake, nevertheless. 
Gentlemen, you will shake hands with the English 
sehor, and accept his apology forthwith. Don San- 
tiago, your hand; and yours, Don Urbano. What, 
Don Francisco! and you, my dear Don Saturnino; 
it is my wish! There, that is as it should be. Now, 
Don Adriano, and my faithful servidor, Don Fabricio 
del Monte, it is your turn. So, so, mi allegre mucho 
to see you all friends. As for you, Breconridge, you 
have done well, though your absence from your post 
merited the disaster thereby involved. You may re- 
tire to the lodge, and see to it in future, please, that 
in your unavoidable absence you have a substitute for 
your place, equally as faithful as yourself. Gentle- 
men, I will dispense with your further attendance 
until supper. In the meanwhile, Senor Suarez, to 
the business of this painting. Hasta luego, SenoresJ' 
With a queenly obeisance to her native caballeros — 
who seemed for some reason to be far from easy at 
mind — and a pleasant smile to young Darley and 
Miss Wilton, as they also prepared to retire, Rufina 
del Montefuego settled herself with a sigh of relief 
into her extemporized throne, and posed herself for 
the business of the evening. 

Bueno, amigos, what think you?” observed the 
Spaniard who had been introduced as Don Fabricio 
del Monte, as he foregathered with his companions in 


MY lady’s banner. 


31 


the vestibule. Is it not a foolish caprice this on the 
part of my fair cousin to encourage the visits of 
estrangeros Ingles at the most critical period of our 
operations? ” 

“ Ciertamente, Senor/' replied Don Adriano, a thick- 
set individual, with a dark spade-beard and a deep 
cicatrized wound that extended from his brow to the 
point of his nose. And I think I am voicing the 
sentiments of these caballeros when I say that had 
not the meddling painter come upon the scene with 
her message, neither the English ' meester ’ nor his 
fair young ' mees ’ would ever have passed out from 
these walls again.” 

His words were greeted with a murmur of appro- 
val by the assembled compatriots. 

You have right, my friend,” said Don Fabricio, 
approvingly. Pest take them ! Did you observe 
how even my cousin and chief, Don Domingo, eyed 
her — this slip of a girl — as though he also were about 
to permit his affections to shake his allegiance to our 
sovereign, Don Carlos^ whom God preserve in his 
rights? ” 

At the mention of the name of the Pretender his 
companions, with a muttered Dios lo guar da! ” re- 
moved their sombreros in respectful salutation, and 
drew closer around him. 

Hush, speak low, Senores! ” continued Del Monte, 
with a furtive glance over his shoulder in the direc- 


32 


MY lady’s banner. 


tion of the corridor, '' for have we not two pairs of 
eyes and ears too many with us this evening — if not 
a third! ” 

You have communicated your suspicions to me 
l)efore, Senor del Monte,” observed Don Saturnino, a 
sinister looking old gentleman, of slight build but 
dignified presence. '' You mean this Diego — Diego 
Suarez, the painter ” 

“What, Senor Suarez! Impossible,” broke in a 
third speaker, of handsome features and the air of a 
true grandee. “ Why, Fabricio, he was only last week 
received in audience by ' el Senor ’ himself at Ant- 
werp, and conveyed most important dispatches with 
his own hands to Lady Diarrogh. Nonsense, amigo, 
why should you doubt him? Have you then any evi- 
dence of his perfidy? ” 

“ None whatever, Don Francisco, except, perhaps, 
in the trick of his eye. He is, moreover, but half a 
Spaniard, which means a whole Italian, and what 
should they know of loyalty as it is understood by us 
hidalgos? ” 

“ Bah! That goes for nothing, Fabricio. Is not our 
Lady Diarrogh herself of gypsy blood, and would you 
have me presume to doubt her integrity also? ” 

“ Hitherto, no. But if the castle becomes the house 
of refuge for every touring cyclist that passes by it, 
I may have every reason to distrust her ladyship as 
weH.” 

/ 


MY lady’s banner. 


33 


'' Come, come, gentlemen,” interposed the youthful 
Urbano y Rodriguez, '' no more of these suspicions, 
or, like the conspirators of comic opera, we may soon 
become afraid of our very shadows. What of the 
King, Fabricio? What message — and how fares the 
cause? ” 

True, Don Urbano. I had forgotten; for these 
doubts and surmises are rare enemies to dispatch. 
Briefly, His Majesty thanks us with his usual gracious- 
ness for our disinterested services on his behalf in the 
Basque provinces, bids us all to be of good cheer, and 
to be prepared at any moment for the signal that 
calls us to his side in that irresistible march upon the 
Capital, and ” 

‘‘ Viva Don Carlos! ” cried the excitable young Don 
Urbano, as he threw his hat in the air, and was im- 
mediately suppressed by the more cautious Fabricio. 

‘‘Silence, amigo! And remember, caballeros, not a 
syllable of this matter during the stay of the young 
strangers in the castle. Moreover, whatever sus- 
picions I may have communicated to you in regard to 
Don Diego, not a word of them must reach the ears of 
Dona Rufina or her brother, with whom, as you are 
well aware, he is a persona grata. For, after all, mi 
amigos, it must be remembered that as exiles, to all 
intents and purposes, we are to some extent dependent 
on her bounty while the political position remains as 
it is. Hah, Breconridge! ” he added, as the sullen 


34 


my lady's banner. 


major-domo limped into the room on his way to the 
lodge. ‘‘ Have you fought so invincibly with us in all 
our battles in Spain for ' el Senor ’ to be vanquished 
by so tender a stripling as this bicyclist in fair combat? 
Caramba, but that was a superb backthrow! You went 
over into the moat, my friend, as helplessly as a sack 
of maize. Here, amigo y is some silver for you; and, 
hark you, if you should again have the misfortune to 
try another bout with him, trust less to muscle than 
to cold steel, as we do in old Spain. For we hidalgos 
object to being pounded and thrown about like joints 
in a butcher's shop, and prefer to fight, on fairer terms, 
with the butcher's weapon." 

‘‘ There goes a brave old dog — a very John Bull for 
stubborn valor," he added, as the mute, with a stiff 
military salute, and a glance of the utmost signifi- 
cance, went out into the night. He fought well in 
the provinces for us — as well as the best of them, until 
the shot that removed his tongue laid him also hors 
de combat. Yes, he is as true as steel, and the most 
suitably discreet major-domo Dona Rufina could have 
selected for our purpose." 

Tell me, amigo'' inquired the young Urbano* 
was he not originally the servant of Lord Diarrogh 
before milord actively e.spoused our cause in Spain? " 

Jtistamentey Senor, and moreover fought shoulder 
to shoulder with his lordship — whom the saints assoil 
— in many a hard-contested fight; ay, and sid^ by side. 


MY lady’s banner. 


35 


too, with his mistress, the present Lady Diarrogh, 
Vv^ho handled the musket and courted the bullets as 
fearlessly as the stanchest muchacho in the army. 
Heaven send that she and her brother may stoop to 
no folly in this our hour of action. Yet this youth and 
his young companion are of extreme comeliness, and 
I like not the eagerness with which she has welcomed 
them, when, before now, and for less cause, a tres- 
passer within the castle has been summarily and expe- 
ditiously thrown into the road. Vamos, Sehores; we 
meet Don Domingo in council at the West Tower over 
this latest dispatch from the King. At supper we shall 
see them together, and form a better judgment. Don 
Santiago, after you.” 

And, wrapped in their voluminous mantles, like 
midnight mutes they filed -silently out into the moon- 
lit court. 


36 


MY lady’s banner. 


CHAPTER IV. 

THE BANQUET IN THE CASTLE. 

A stranger suddenly entering the supper chamber 
or great hall of Tarn worth Castle that night, without 
any knowledge of its occupants, might almost have 
been led to believe in the actuality of ghostly visita- 
tions, and that the Diarroghs and their Celtic de- 
pendents of a bygone generation were holding high 
revel after their usual midnight custom. 

At the head of the table, in the center of the vast 
hall, with her newly arrived guests on either side of 
her, sat the incomparable lady of the castle, her dark 
features with the eyes that Murillo would have loved 
to depict, chastened and trebly beautified by the soft 
light from the innumerable wax lights in the massive 
chandeliers overhead ; her magnificent proportions 
robed in black Genoa velvet of the costliest descrip- 
tion, and, clustering about her throat and bosom in 
creamy frills, rich laces of an antique and priceless 
design; while amid her sable tresses, and upon her 
hands and wrists, gems of every conceivable color 
smoldered and flashed in the soft light. 


MY lady's banner. 


37 


On her left, and by the side of Marion Wilton, sat 
her brother, Don Domingo del Montefuego, his hand- 
some if somewhat malevolent-looking features lit up 
with an unusual animation as he bent in respectful 
converse toward the maiden, who, bewildered by the 
magnificent barbarity of the Gothic surroundings, and 
the dark and sad-looking faces with beards of formal 
cut, that confronted her along the board, heeded less 
his grandiose compliments than the, to her, dream-like 
movements of the silent menials, the soft music of the 
hidden choir in the gallery, and, above all, the fasci- 
nating presence of Doha Rufina, who (in the opinion 
of her compatriots) seemed to have called forth all her 
latent charms of manner and conversation in order to 
impress her guests with a sense of her normal bon- 
homie and thoughtless abandon. Clad in a loose-fitting, 
puff-sleeved robe of green silk, the property of the 
petite Mercedes, her fair hair undesignedly arranged 
in coils of bewildering beauty about the small, well- 
shaped head, the young girl, with the flush of sweet 
maidenhood on her cheeks and the tender love-light 
in her large gray eyes as they fell at intervals on Dar- 
ley’s form, might with all propriety have sat for the 
portrait in oils that hung on the wall above her — to 
wit, the beautiful, if luckless, Amy Robsart. 

To young Darley, who was naturally of a joyous 
and light-hearted, if impressionable, disposition, the 
novelty of the scene was a direct incentive to his best 


38 


MY lady's banner. 


endeavors, both in conversation and amiability of man- 
ner, and with the Sehorita Mercedes, Don Fabricio's 
sister, on one side of him, and his hostess on the 
other, he certainly appeared to rise to the level of the 
occasion. 

He had discarded his damp clothes for the less 
serviceable, if more picturesque, court dress of a Span- 
ish grandee — the somber folds of which, lending a dig- 
nity so novel to him as she had always known him, 
that the little maid, his lady-love opposite, could 
scarcely refrain from regarding him from time to time 
with admiring wonder, although the look was at times 
tinged with surprised concern when she perceived the 
tokens of interest with which her hostess appeared 
to look upon him, when, drawn by her unreserve, he 
chatted to her with all the familiarity of an old ac- 
quaintance. 

Debarred from joining in the general conversation 
by virtue of their ignorance of the English language, 
the Spaniards at the end of the table sat in melancholy 
silence — appealing to one another from time to time 
with significant looks and low muttered monosyllables 
expressive of their displeasure at this ill-advised dis- 
play of frivolity on the part of their hostess. 

Hah ! what said her ladyship to the English Cabal- 
lero then, Senor Suarez?’’ inquired Don Saturnino 
of the painter, who, sitting v/ith the venerable hidalgo 
at the extreme end of the table, seemed to be more 


MY LADY S BANNER. 


39 


troubled than any of his companions at the progress 
of affairs at the upper board. '' Please to construe for 
me, for you are somewhat acquainted with the idiom.’’ 

‘‘ You are observant, Senor. Her ladyship has asked 
the young Barley and Miss Wilton to honor her 
house by extending their visit for some few days 
longer.” 

'' Sapristi! And what said he in reply to that?” 

'' He seemed to hesitate at first, but her persua- 
sions having been seconded by her brother ” 

‘‘How! Don Domingo?” 

“ The same — he has accepted, and will write in- 
forming his father in Lincolnshire, and his compan- 
ion’s relations in Bristol, of their intention of staying. 
What think you of this, Senor?” 

“ That there is more in the invitation than this boy- 
faced Senor or his querida dreams of. Your ear, Don 
Francisco; for the very worst that we have feared has 
befallen.” 

Having whispered the intelligence to his neighbor, 
who immediately transmitted it to the others, the 
dark visages of the conspirators contracted with anger 
as they sat looking from one to the other with un- 
qualified dismay at this unexpected perfidy on the part 
of the unconscious Don Domingo — who, seemingly 
fascinated by the innocent charm of his fair guest, 
remained oblivious to the storm his attitude had called 
forth. 


40 


MY lady's banner. 


“ See, how she plies him with the wine — the silly- 
pated boy,'’ observed the disgusted Don Saturnino, 
as he nudged the preoccupied Diego into attention. 
** And to think that this imperious lady, at whose 
proud feet the diadems of princes have been cast in 
vain, should succumb at last to the Arcadian simplicity 
of this mere stripling; and, worse still, that the blase 
Don Domingo, her brother, who has consigned Cupid 
and his arrows to the devil, his master, until the King 
shall have gained his own — that he must needs play 
the fool, and, with his sister, risk the divulgence of our 
plans to the secret police, already hot on the scent 
of our machinations! Why, it is intolerable beyond 
belief! You must see to it, Senor Suarez! ” 

'' How — I, Don Saturnino?" exclaimed the painter 
with a start, as he paled to the lips. How shall it 
concern me, that am only her dependiente — a mere 
painter, and the least in her counsels?" 

'' H'm! the last, probably, Senor, but not the least — 
unless, of course, we must take it for granted that you 
have been permanently supplanted in her favor by 
Senor Darley. Tut, tut, there is no need for you to 
dissemble, man, for, carambay we have not been blind. 
Heed me, therefore, when I say that the success or 
failure of her ladyship's designs are for the moment 
committed to you, my young friend. She will listen 
to you when she would only treat us with contumely. 
As for Don Domingo, he is already preparing for him- 


MY lady’s banner. 


41 


self all the punishment that a woman scorned can 
bring upon him ; for, see, the angry spot on the cheeks 
of his vixen cousin, the Doha Mercedes. She is of an 
observant and crafty disposition, and if it will lie in 
her power to thwart his designs on the young girl — 
whom I sincerely pity for her innocence — you may 
depend upon her exerting it on our behalf.” 

But he was speaking to deaf ears now, for the young 
painter, with his eyes fixed upon the debonair young 
Englishman, his cheeks of the hue of marble, and his 
breath coming and going in labored ^asps, sat ob^ 
livious to his companion’s presence — the living per- 
sonification of bale unspeakable. 

A slight tapping on the table presently drew all at- 
tention to the lady of Tarnworth, who, with flushed 
cheeks and ill-concealed triumph in her wondrous 
eyes, was glancing down the line of faces with a view 
to obtaining their attention to some remarks she was 
on the point of making. 

Caballeros,'' she began in a gay tone of voice that 
was strangely belied by something of the old menac- 
ing look with which she had previously held the 
mutineers in check, ‘‘ as my observations . are more 
especially directed to you, I have the kind permission 
of my guests to address you in our native Castilian. 
Let us drink to the prosperity and happiness of those 
guests — el Senor Darley and la Senorita Wilton. You 
will, I, am sure, learn with the utmost gratification. 


42 


MY LADY S BANNER. 


gentlemen, that this young couple, delighted with that 
hospitality which it has been our happy privilege as 
Spaniards to afford them, have acceded to my in- 
vitation and that of my brother — is it not so, my 
brother?’’ 

'' PueSy Sefiora,” stammered the disconcerted Don 
Domingo, reddening painfully; ''why not? it is only 
natural ! ” 

" I say at my special invitation, seconded by that of 
my inestimable brother,” she continued, with just the 
least soupgon of contempt in her tones, " el Sehor 
Darley and his fiancee — you look surprised, gentlemen, 
his fiancky I said — have decided to prolong their stay 
here as my guests for another week — indeed, until 
such times as they may become tired of our society. 
Sehor Don Fabricio del Monte, you will please to 
maintain your seat in silence until I shall have con- 
cluded my remarks. I need scarcely point out, 
Sehores, the unexpected pleasure which the stay of 
these young people will confer on us — so long used 
as we have been to the gloom of these walls, and 
desirous, as I am sure you all must be, for some change 
from the ^austerity of your daily avocations. For, 
Sehores, it will be my endeavor to render their visit as 
felicitous and entertaining as the resources of my castle 
will admit. And in this effort I am certain I will have 
your best aids. As hidalgoSy in whose veins the richest 
blood of Spain is apparent, you may be pleased to 


MY lady's banner. 


43 


learn — from a social point of view — that this young 
gentleman is of ancient and courtly descent, his father 
being of the highest notables in Lincolnshire. This 
young damosel is also of a family no less high-born 
than that of the youth, her betrothed. Senores, you 
may depend on my endeavoring, with due caution, to 
enlist their suffrages on behalf of the cause we have 
so much at heart. 

‘‘ Caballeros'' she concluded, with a light hardening 
of her voice, and a look that rather denoted the stern 
mistress than the genial hostess, ‘‘ you have known me 
for many years, both in the hour of extreme peril as 
well as on those occasions when, duty aside, a woman's 
caprice must needs be indulged, and you know, there- 
fore, my very faithful servidores, that when Rufina del 
Montefuego has resolved upon a line of action, when 
her will has been proclaimed, that line of action must 
be asquiesced in, and by every means fostered by your 
kindly approval. Don Fabricio, my very appreciable 
cousin, I await the tenour of your remarks." 

I have none to offer, Sehora," observed that gen- 
tleman, rising and bowing to his arrogant relative with 
every appearance of confusion in the action. 

“ And you, caballerosf " she pursued with an en- 
quiring glance, in which amusement and contempt 
struggled for the mastery. ‘‘ What, no word, gentle- 
men? Then am I indeed fortunate in having acquired 
so unanimous a vote of approval; and we will now, 


44 


MY lady’s banner. 


therefore, proceed without further parley to consoli- 
date this amity by drinking to the healths of our 
youthful guests, on whom may all happiness attend in 
their future career.” 

The toast having nevertheless been drunk in omi- 
nous silence, her ladyship thought well to obviate 
further risk of an outbreak by rising from her seat, and 
thus proclaiming the entertainment at an end. 

'' Come, Sehor Darley,” she said, in a voice suffi- 
ciently audible to reach the ears of her retiring guests, 
let me now perform the role of castellan, and show 
you some of the beauties of the castle before the sound 
of the gong shall summon us to our apartments. Don 
Domingo, my brother, and you, my cousin Mercedes, 
and — oh, yes — Senor Suarez, as my substitutes you 
will entertain Miss Wilton in the red drawing-room 
during my absence — where we will shortly rejoin you. 
Caballeros, buenas noches. Come, Sehor Darley.” 

Taking the youth’s arm, and bowing graciously to 
the discomfited grandees as they fell back on either 
side to give her passage, she led the way out of the 
hall. 


MY lady's banner. 


45 


CHAPTER V. 

THE PAINTER SUAREZ. 

As the assembled company trooped silently away 
through the old Norman porch, and the music of the 
harp and voices ceased in the gallery, two of their 
number had intuitively, as it were, retarded their 
steps, and were now confronting one another in the 
gloom of the old doorway. It was the Doha Mercedes 
del Monte and the painter Diego Suarez. 

The small features and beady jet eyes of the little 
Andalusian maid, elfish enough at all times in their 
eerie beauty, were positively repulsive now with the 
working of a jealous fury that seemed to be reflected in 
the deadly-pale lineaments of the Spanish artist. 

Well met, Sehor Suarez," she at length remarked, 
with a reckless little laugh and a toss of her black elf- 
locks. '' You have been observant, then, amigo? " 

I have, Sehorita," he replied, his eyes still riveted 
on the disappearing figures of the queenly chatelaine 
and her youthful charge. And so I presume has the 
Senorita, or she would not, having disregarded her 
ladyship’s instructions, be with me here instead of in 


46 


MY lady’s banner. 


the red room with el Sehor del Montefuego, entertain- 
ing la InglesetaJ* 

You have a caustic tongue, Senor, the concomitant 
of a baffled regard! ” 

As a sharpened wit, Senorita, is the privilege of a 
discarded lover. Pray you a truce to these idle com- 
mentaries, and let us understand one another.” 

‘‘ It is prudently said, my friend. But we have al- 
ready seen and understood only too well. A Spaniard 
needs no grammar of love to define so obvious a situa- 
tion. La Senora is infatuated; el Senor is infatuated; 
los Ingles, individually, are infatuated; we are dis- 
carded; ye, of the cause in Spain, are discarded; los 
conspiradores in England, my brother included, they 
are all discarded. Voila tout! ” 

Good, Senorita! that is the grammatical inflection 
of the position, justamente. And the remedy for this 
deplorable condition of affairs? ” 

It is here,” said the brunette, taking a piece of 
paper from her bosom, and handing it to the other 
with a look of quiet malignity, I obtained the par- 
ticulars from the pocket of her robe during the process 
of change in the Knight’s Tower.” 

He gave a start of pleasure as his eyes fell upon the 
writing and took in its import. 

I see, it is the addresses of their respective parents 
in Lincoln and in Bristol. You would write to them 
at once, giving them some warning of the peril with 


MY lady's banner. 


47 


which their children are confronted, with a view to 
their immediate withdrawal from the castle — is that not 
so.^ 

You have divined with the intuition of love, Senor. 
That is the position exactly. But no intimation of our 
disloyalty must afterwards reach the ears of La Sehora 
or her brother. The letter, which will arrive with those 
of the Ingles y must be guardedly written, and above all, 
it must not be entrusted to Breconridge with the post- 
bag — he is not to be depended upon. I will post it 
myself in the village to-morrow morning. In the mean- 
while, Don Diego, let no evidences of this our — shall 
we say chagrin, appear to the eyes of the individuos 
concerned." 

“ Love is blind, Sehorita! " 

'' Carambay why do you taunt me thus?" she ex- 
claimed with sudden passion. Has mutual misfor- 
tune, then, left no sentiment of pity in your breast for 
me — of revenge for this outrage? Is it not known to 
you that el Senor del Montefuego has asked, and ob- 
tained, my hand in marriage? " 

Pardon me, Doha Mercedes," he hastily replied, in 
tones whose tremulous depth of passion should have 
convinced her of his earnestness, I had only the 
furtherance of our design in view, and not your pain, 
when I made the observation. With men, Sehorita, 
the bitter disappointment of a great love seldom finds 
vent in mere words of passion. It rather affects deeds, 


48 


MY lady’s banner. 


and, believe me, camarada, they shall not be wanting if 
the march of circumstances demands their employ- 
ment. Oh, Mercedes! you who have been of her 
secret counsels, and have read the strange workings of 
this woman’s heart, tell me, is it not true that she has at 
times affected some regard, some tender regard, for 
the poor painter who has worshipped her very shadow 
since that fateful day when he first fell under her spell 
at Burgos?” 

Without doubt, my poor Diego,” she replied, with 
words long drawn out as she watched their effect upon 
him with an evil glee. I have not been blind, nor 
deaf, nor remiss in my advocacy of your pretensions; 
although the natural reticence of a maiden must be my 
excuse for not entering into the details of our conver- 
sations.” 

'' Now, God be praised, but your words are of the 
sweetest sounding music that has entered this breast 
for many years!” exclaimed the unfortunate young 
man in rapture, as he pressed his lips to her hand. ‘‘ It 
is a guerdon well worth the risking of so valueless a 
life as mine to obtain. Let us now depart, Sehorita, to 
dispel suspicion, and to keep them under surveillance. 
I to the castle grounds, where I fear me she will have 
retired. You, Sehorita, to the red-room. I will seek 
an opportunity of again meeting you in the early morn- 
ing. Until then, amiga mia, vouchsafe to accept the 
assurance of my most distinguished consideration.” 


MY lady's banner. 


49 


And so they parted — cordially distrustful of each 
other in all things except the mutually selfish affair 
that had appealed to their very worst instincts of vanity 
and passion. 

Considerations of a far different nature were at the 
moment occupying the thoughts of the Dona Rufina 
and young Darley as, arm in arm together, they passed 
under the ancient portcullis gates, and emerged into 
the flood of brilliant moonlight that lit up the dew- 
spangled terrace and foliage with the tender gleams of 
countless faery diamonds. 

To Evelyn, accustomed as he had long been to the 
timorous self-negation of the pretty Marion, the superb 
and commanding majesty of the matured Dona Rufina, 
leaning on his arm with the condescension of a mon- 
arch on that of a favored courtier, was an experience so 
novel and entrancing (apart from the love-impelling 
beauty of the surroundings) that there was no little 
danger of his head becoming turned in the interreg- 
num that parted him from his cousin. He was, more- 
over, no stranger to the mild delights of flirtation, even 
had his natural instinct not availed itself of the oppor- 
tunity; and he felt in the vanity of his youth flattered 
beyond measure that his society should have been 
deemed of sufficient interest to this glorious creature 
to warrant her having especially singled him out for 
her favors. And this without a particle of guile pre- 
pense; for, let us not be misunderstood, the lad was of 


50 


MY lady’s banner. 


a sterling honesty, and whatever his faults may have 
been, the puppyish conceit of many an elder in ex- 
perience was not one of them. 

What the lady, his companion, may have thought 
about the matter was not so apparent in her self- 
contained features. That the youth had awakened her 
regard was already a foregone conclusion, patent as we 
have seen to friend and foe alike. That this regard 
should suddenly have ripened into a passion of the 
most profound and enduring kind no one but a 
Spaniard, with Zingari blood in her veins, could have 
been led to understand. That it should have been so 
at all was of course most regrettable, and morally in- 
excusable in the circumstances; but we have, on the 
other hand, the moral duty of the veracious historian 
before us, and moral duty, as we all know, has little 
if any regard for the secrets of a woman’s heart. 

You are very considerate, Mr. Darley, but I do not 
feel in the least cold,” she answered to his concerned 
enquiry as to the wisdom of her having courted the 
night air. “We have nights in Spain of equal frigidity, 
and I may add of equal romance — nights for the lover, 
when, guitar in hand, he apostrophises his Dulcinea 
beneath the latticed window of her abode. As to the 
loneliness of the life in the castle, you have surmised 
correctly, it is of a verity most trist — a state of melan- 
choly that is all the more emphasized by the presence 
of those we would fain cherish, but, alas! who are 


MY lady’s banner. 


51 


fated so soon to return to their felicities, leaving only 
the sorrow for their absence behind them! ” 

Something of the Spanish grandiloquence of phrase 
lent a strangeness of charm to her utterance as, with a 
tremulous sigh, she made a period to the soft tones of 
lament, and turned her face aside. 

But surely you have not to remain here of com- 
pulsion, Lady Diarroghl” said the youth, in some 
embarrassment at the tenour of her concluding remark. 
'' You have London near at hand. There are the 
neighbouring gentry. You will at times hold festivity 
within these grand old walls? Surely,” he added, as he 
warmed under the spell of the dark eyes that had 
suddenly reverted to his, you can command the 
attendance of gaiety — you, who are so young, so dis- 
tinguished, so brilliant, and — so — so — beautiful! ” 

He could not for the life of him have evaded the 
adjective, though he reddened deeply under the sense 
of having gone too far. 

But a playful flip of his hand with her soft fingers 
was all the chastisement his frowardness brought upon 
him. 

‘‘ So you think I am beautiful then, you romantic 
boy? ” she remarked, as she regarded him with the 
pleased look of some superb tigress marking down her 
prey. You who have but this moment parted from 
the ravishing presence of la belle Marion! But there, 
I am not angry with you. Why should I be, who 


52 


MY lady's banner. 


am older, and more experienced in the heart's insin- 
cerities? Tell me, then, have you been long engaged 
to your cousin. Miss Wilton? " 

'' We have been known to one another from child- 
hood, Lady Diarrogh," was the comprehensive reply, 
delivered with all the artlessness of confiding youth. 

'' My poor boy ! " she murmured to herself softly, but 
in tones, nevertheless, that reached his ears. How I 
am then sorry for you, mi pobresito ! " 

''For me, madam?" he echoed with the intensest 
surprise. 

" Pardon me, I had not intended you to overhear," 
she said with affected confusion. ‘' I had forgotten 
myself for the moment. Yet is she but a child, with 
a child's impressionableness to mere externals." 

Instinctively the thoughts of the youth reverted to 
the dark face and courtly presence of the fascinating 
Don Domingo, and, for the first time in his life's 
experience of love, the monster of jealousy appeared, 
and knocked at his young heart for admittance. 

His silence seemed to have betrayed the drift of his 
thoughts and the success of her manoeuvre. 

" I fear me that I have been too precipitate, Mr. 
Darley," she presently ventured, with well-assumed 
concern, as she bent closer to him — " that I have 
offended you. I spoke with the emotion of a woman 
who values only too well the devotion of a heart that 
truly loves, and would grieve most sincerely to see 


MY lady’s banner, 


S3 


Its resources wasted on the altar of a woman’s folly! ” 

‘‘ Lady Diarrogh! ” 

“ Oh, pardon me, Mr. Darley! What is this I have 
said? Believe me, it is all foolishness; I presumed too 
much on my age and experience. Let us return to the 
castle.” 

But he was thoroughly aroused now, and his chagrin 
at the implied misconduct of the absent young girl was 
only equalled by the new and peculiar sentiment with 
which her unguarded solicitude had imbued him. 

'' But, Lady Diarrogh ” 

Nay, please not by that name!” she interrupted 
pleadingly, as she confronted him with a look of the 
most bewitching candour. It is a great deal too 
formal coming from one whom I would desire to know 
better. I am known to my friends as Doha Rufina; 
to my intimate friends as Rufina — simplemente. Possi- 
bly you will choose, mi amigo? ” She was gazing into 
his eyes now with a tenderness of appeal that was ab^ 
solutely irresistible. 

'' Rufina,” he uttered in a low voice of guilty ac- 
quiescence; and then, as the night winds might have 
whispered it, his own name — Evelyn ” — floated on 
his ears as, with her hand in his, and his heart filled 
with a tumult indescribable, they wandered silently on 
under the listening boughs of the ancient forest walk. 


54 


MY lady’s banner. 


CHAPTER VI. 

THE ENCHANTED YOUTH. 

Far and wide did the steps of this strangely-assorted 
couple wander among the enchanting solitudes of the 
venerable pleasaunce. The gong of recall had clanged 
within the castle walls, and had roared its summons 
upon the terrace steeps; but its heathen blare had been 
addressed to deaf ears, and my Lady Diarrogh and her 
companion still meandered on in conversation ob- 
viously deep, and, of a certitude, most entrancing. 

She had been led by his engaging complaisance to 
enter upon some details of the history of her past life. 
He had learnt how the enthusiasm for a dynastic cause 
could engross the attention of a young and beautiful 
woman to the utter exclusion of a youthful tendresse. 
How, led by this strange infatuation so natural to the 
politician of Spain, yet unintelligible to the minds of 
the dispassionate Northerner, her hand had been given 
in marriage to his countryman. Lord Diarrogh, whose 
advanced years was, in the eyes of her unscrupulous 
relatives, more than counterbalanced by his great 


MY lady’s banner. 


55 


riches, so sadly needed to maintain the struggle they 
had both so much at heart. Yet for his lordship she 
had nothing but the most unbounded admiration. He 
had voluntarily exiled himself from his country in the 
pursuance of the fortunes of el Sehor ” — the King. 
He had been brave in battle, kindly in his treatment of 
the imperious beauty, his young wife, and was a 
worthy Englishman in the truest sense of the word. 
But, alas! she feared she had not been sufficiently cog' 
nizant of the devotion that had led him to these sacri- 
fices. How could it be otherwise? She was of a pas- 
sionate and impressionable nature: she had it of her 
Zingari forbears. He, worthy man, was of the cold, 
insular reserve of the inveterate Englishman. Thus 
amidst the stir and bustle of revolution, the, to her, 
fierce delights of the battlefield, and (as a sequel to 
disaster) the solitary exile in the castle of Tarnworth, 
her thoughts had ever turned inwardly; and, as the 
years had crept slowly on, she felt that she had indeed 
lost all touch with the softer phases of life, and 
above all with that youth-of-love without which 
life itself had become unendurable. With all the wild 
barbaric eloquence and gesture of her Romany an- 
cestors she had endeavored to engage his young en- 
thusiasms on behalf of the exiled prince, and with form 
erect and flashing eyes had, with the irresistible fervour 
of a modern Joan of Arc, appealed to his native sense 
of chivalry on her sovereign’s behalf. And the young 


S6 


MY lady’s banner. 


man had listened to it all with a glowing face and 
kindling eyes — infatuated, enthralled, and passively 
marvelling under the occult spell that seemed to be 
sweeping all his fealty to his cousin to the winds of the 
night. 

Yet with all her passionate acclamation and abandon 
something of the reserve of pride, together with the 
innate tact of the woman, had kept her in hand and 
debarred her from committing herself by any direct 
statement of her mind toward him. She saw with 
that observance of male nature, in which she was an 
adept, that the time was not yet ripe, and that, what- 
ever conclusions he may have formed in his mind, the 
too sudden avowal of this infatuation would only bring 
about the disaster which she could not trust herself 
even to contemplate — which, indeed, she had conse- 
crated all her powers of fascination to obviate. 

They had now approached to within a stone’s-throw 
of the lodge gates when the sound of steps on the 
avenue behind them caused them to turn their faces 
in that direction. 

It is the painter, Diego,” said the lady, with a 
shade of annoyance in her voice. He is an extremely 
considerate young man; most persistently so. See — 
the wraps that he is bringing out to me! I rely on 
your discretion, amigo mio. Senor Suarez, I trust you 
have left the young Sehorita Wilton In safe keeping? ” 

The ladies have long since withdrawn, Lady 


MY lady's banner. 


57 


Diarrogh, and el Senor, your brother, has bidden me 
acquaint your ladyship with his desire to confer with 
you about to-morrow's arrangements before you retire 
for the night. Permit me to place these shawls about 
your ladyship's shoulders, for the night is keen." 

She assumed them with laughing condescension, 
albeit his extreme pallor and the sour look with which 
he had greeted her companion had not escaped her all- 
observant eyes. 

I avail myself of your good offices, mi amigo 
Diego," she said with a repressive glance that was 
not to be withstood ; so disinterestedly offered, so 
cahallerosamente. Pray permit me to take your arm, 
for I fear me I have wearied the Senor Darley." 

And thus, with the young Englishman on one side 
silently occupied with his thoughts, and holding the 
Spaniard in amiable converse on the other, they gained 
the castle without the contretemps of which she had no 
slight fear. 

Here she dismissed the devoted Don Diego with 
an irresistible grace of command, and, conducting 
young Darley to the door of his apartment, bade him 
good-night, and wished him pleasant dreams with so 
charming an inflection of voice that the enchanted 
youth had no option but to dream of her lovely self 
throughout the watches of that night. 

In her boudoir, a dainty little apartment overlooking 
the courtyard, and fitted up in semi-Moorish fashion. 


58 


MY lady's banner. 


with costly hangings and couches innumerable, she 
found her brother, Don Domingo, in impatient wait- 
ing. 

‘‘ Well, hermano mio! " said she tentatively, as she 
threw herself on a leopard-skin couch, and proceeded 
with a smile of malicious pleasure to note the troubled 
expression on his distinguished-looking features. 
'' Art thou moonstruck already? I beg of you to give 
me a cigarette." 

He obeyed her silently, rolling the weed between his 
long fingers thoughtfully, and then holding a light to 
her for its ignition. 

Nay, how your hands are trembling, brother mine. 
CaranibOy but if I did not understand you well, 
Domingo mio, I should be tempted by your restless- 
ness of eye, and tremulousness of demeanour, to sus- 
pect that you were in love ! " 

“ Sister, have peace! or if you must hold me to your 
raillery, at least remember that whatever my sin, I have 
the precept and example of my Lady Diarrogh, and 
that it is not the habitude of malefactors to recriminate 
until after they have been brought to account." 

‘‘Indeed, brother! Why, then, the dainty Titania 
has made good use of the interval." 

“ Assuredly, madam. I am already at her feet — her 
most devoted slave! " 

“ So it would appear, my poor Domingo. Yet what 
of the ‘ cause,’ amigo, and who should be the suppliant 


MY lady’s banner. 


59 


now on ‘ el Senor’s ’ behalf? Ah, ah, my brother! But, 
there; vaya con suerte, I can afford to be generous in a 
common misfortune.” 

“ Accept of my profound devotion for the clemency, 
sister. But tell me, I pray, how fares it with the beau- 
tiful Bithynian? ” 

‘‘ What mean you, my appreciable brother? ” 

‘‘ Antinous, oh, my adorable sister! ” 

‘‘ You are jocose, Sehor. Beware that you may have 
no cause to lament his disposition to jealousy.” 

Then you have already been at work, querida 
m io! ” 

‘‘ Natiiralmente; as I presume you have also in 
shaping the sentiments of the young Inglesita, I think 
we understand one another, amigo? ” 

“We do, with wonderful unanimity, sister,” he an- 
swered, with a grateful expression on his saturnine 
face as he seated himself at her feet. “ And matters 
having arrived at this interesting stage, I thought well 
to seek you here for some counsel concerning our 
further attitudes. Possibly you will tell me what is 
next to be done, sister? ” 

“ Nothing.” 

“ But reflect a moment. They will soon have de- 
parted from us.” 

“ Qnien sabc, we shall see! ” 

She removed the cigarette from her lips and 
watched the ascending spirals of smoke with the 


6o 


MY lady’s banner. 


most consummate ajfifection of indifference imaginable. 

‘'They arrived here unnoticed,” she added, as though 
she were addressing herself to her thoughts, “ and it 
does not follow by any means that their stay should be 
generally known to the county.” 

“ But their parents will be advised of their visit, 
sister! ” 

“ Not necessarily,” she replied, with an assumption 
of indifference that caused him to stare at her in blank 
astonishment. 

She took a couple of stamped and directed envelopes 
from her bosom and handed them to him. 

“ They were committed to my charge for the post 
this evening. Have the goodness, my brother, to place 
them upon the fire. Nay, do not look at me in that 
alarmed manner, but do as I have desired you. I have 
scrutinised every aspect of the case, and my resolution 
has been taken. To the fire, Senor! ” 

“ But again reflect, my sister, what you would do. 
This is a criminal matter in the eye of the English law, 
this detention of English citizens in a castle against 
their will 1 ” 

“ But it shall not be against their will, amigo. We 
must succeed by persuasion, aided by every insinuation 
that may be calculated to rend them asunder. But say 
no more. I have spoken. I am resolved. I have 
staked my life upon it! Listen, brother; if, as a result 
of failure, the castle itself were to fall about us, crush- 


MY lady’s banner. 


6i 


ing all living souls within its walls, then let it topple in 
Heaven’s name! Give me the letters. I herewith 
consign them and the English laws to equal perdition.” 

She arose, and deliberately placing the letters on the 
coals, watched them burst into flame and resolve them- 
selves into ashes. 

And now,” she continued, as she resumed her seat 
and her cigarette, the Rubicon having been effectu- 
ally crossed, and our boats burnt, I will look to you, my 
brother, to assist me in my endeavours to provide for 
you a charming little English wife.” 

‘‘ And Mercedes? ” 

I will see to her.” 

‘‘And Don Diego?” 

“ I will see to him — and to the others. Carambay 
have I not hitherto driven them as effectually as any 
English four-in-hand? But I am tired of them all now 
and would willingly consign them to el Diablo, and 
with as little compunction as I have done those letters 
in the grate.” 

“ There is some indication of manner among my 
friends that el Senor Suarez is not to be depended 
upon. Do you suspect it, sister? ” 

“ I know it,” she said bitterly, and confronting him 
with the eyes of a pythoness. “ But for ^he sake of ‘ el 
Senor ’ I have reclaimed him for the nonce by suffer- 
inghis attentions. He will now possibly relapse. Bueno, 
let him. I am tired, I tell you, and will see to him.” 


62 


MY lady’s banner. 


‘‘ Then you will assume the direction of this affair 
with the ultimate object of — of what, my sister? ” 

Of marriage, simplementey my brother. Within the 
castle, in the chapel, by fair means or by stratagem — I 
care not which. Have I your submission, brother? ” 
Most undoubtedly, oh, my rare sister! Here have 
you my hand to it. May Cupid attend our endeav- 
ours.” 

And all the Furies our failures! Proceed, then, on 
your way with unconcern and leave disaffection to me. 
I will see to it. To-morrow you will seek every oppor- 
tunity to engage the attention of the maid. I will do 
the same as regards the youth. In the evening we will 
give a special entertainment in their honor, and at this 
same hour you will attend me here to report progress. 
Good-night, my brother! ” 

There was almost a kindly light in her inscrutable 
eyes as he bent to kiss her hand with all the courtliness 
of the grandee; but it vanished with his withdrawal 
from the room, and in its place came back the wreakful 
fires of the wandering race. 

She paused for some seconds, listening to the sound 
of his receding footsteps, and then, throwing a heavy 
caped cloak over her ample shoulders, she glided softly 
from the room, and in a very short space of time had 
crossed the courtyard in the shadow cast by the wester- 
ing moon. 

At the portcullis entrance she was confronted by the 


MY LADYS BANNER. 


63 


motionless figure of the attendant, who, evidently used 
to the vagaries of his mysterious mistress, at once 
opened a small wicket door in the ponderous barriers 
and bowed her out in respectful silence. 

Arrived on the terrace she stayed her feet for some 
moments to glance up at the moonlit battlements of her 
feudal home with a long-drawn and tender sigh. 

There is no light in his room. He sleeps — mi 
querido! If thoughts may take to themselves the aery 
shapes of living bodies, oh, enter, then, upon the beams 
of yon love-compelling orb and usher in my image to 
him in his dreams ! 

Passing into the avenue, and proceeding rapidly and 
silently along its sombre aisle, she paused before the 
gatekeeper's lodge at its extreme end, and tapped 
gently upon the door. 

It was opened, almost immediately, by the hoary 
Breconridge, who, without betraying the least surprise 
on his rugged features, drew his heels together, in the 
approved formal salute of the old soldier, and then 
stood with bowed head at respectful attention. 

‘‘ I am pleased to see you so alert, my old friend," 
she commenced, with a smile of extreme graciousness. 

The events of this evening have possibly pointed to 
the necessity for it. Listen to me. It is my wish, until 
further notice, that my English visitors, as also el 
Sehor Suarez and the Dona Mercedes, shall not leave 
the castle precincts without my sanction given to you 


64 


MY lady’s banner. 


beforehand, either by word of mouth or in my writing. 
Do you understand me? ” 

The mute bowed in token of his having compre- 
hended the duty. 

Then, further, that no letters, on any plea, shall be 
forwarded by the post that do not bear my super- 
scription.” 

Again did the old major-domo bend his head in 
respectful and solemn silence. 

'' There will be an exception, of course, in the case 
of Mr. Lovell. I wish to see him to-morrow at this 
midnight hour. He will find me in attendance within 
the avenue. Pray you convey my desire to him in 
writing when he passes. Now retire to your rest and 
see that these my orders are closely adhered to in 
every detail. There is my hand.” 

A gleam of pleasure came over the weather-beaten 
features of the old retainer as he raised the soft, be- 
jewelled fingers to his speechless lips, and then with 
his form erect and his hand at salute, he watched her 
as she entered the avenue and disappeared within the 
shade of its trees. 


MY lady’s banner. 


65 


CHAPTER VII. 

O, WORLD OF ALL OUTDURING PERFIDY ! ” 

x\wakened from dreams of sweetest trend by the 
outside clamour of rook and daw, the flood of mellow 
autumn light that entered the heavy transomed win- 
dow of the spacious sleeping apartment and through 
the open casement with the morning air, the pungent 
balm of water-lily and jasmine, young Barley sprang 
from his bed, and rubbing his eyes with an exclama- 
tion of surprise, hastened to the nearest window to re- 
connoiter the position and collect his scattered wits. 

The morning sun had already drawn up in long 
fleecy rolls the dews of the night, and from a point 
above the hills was touching the green and sear of 
the wooded park and upland forest with tender sloping 
rays of gold. 

Rufina! ” 

We regret to say that it was the first word — the key 
to the situation — that escaped his lips, as he turned 
away from the prospect with a sigh of contrition (his 
betrothed’s due) and proceeded to dress for the day. 
Passing with silent foot along a corridor with clear- 


66 


MY lady's banner. 


storied windows overlooking the grand hall, and down 
a massive oaken staircase of ample breadth and wan- 
ton sweep, he found himself in the room within which 
her ladyship's portrait was displayed. Yet, scarcely 
trusting himself to again cast eyes on it, he hurried 
through the remembered way to the postern door, and 
so through the main gateway into the castle grounds. 

On the terrace, much to his surprise, he encountered 
the Doha Mercedes. She was proceeding from the di- 
rection of the avenue, and was, to all appearance, in 
anything but the best of humours. 

But her shrewish features cleared in response to his 
hearty '' good-morning," and as she eyed his frank 
young face and handsome mien she more than half- 
regretted that the ill chance of a foreign idiom de- 
barred her from entering into a conversation with 
him. 

Good-morning, Sehor Darley," she replied at a 
venture in Castilian. And where will you be pro- 
ceeding so very early in the day? " 

He took in the meaning of her accompanying ges- 
ture without apparent difficulty, and replied with a 
smile as he pointed in the direction of the lower 
park 

‘‘ To the village. Miss del Monte, for a jolly good 
spin before breakfast." 

Ah, the Villa — el pueblo. I see," she observed with 
a look so full of hidden meaning that the youth was 


MY lady's banner. 


67 


quite at a loss what to imagine by it, and his perplexity 
was redoubled by the fierce little laugh by which it was 
followed. 

‘‘ Go on your way, Senor, con Dios, and may you 
experience better luck in the venture than I have done. 
Hast a la vista! " 

She left him with the curtest of nods to pursue his 
way, and disappeared into the castle like some black- 
eyed little harridan of fairy lore. 

What a very extraordinary woman! " he mused, as 
he stood gazing up at the wide expanse of wall and 
turret. ‘‘ I wonder if they are all like her in Spain. 
It has been a novel experience, and I should much 
wish to know what Marion thinks of it all. The poor 
child, I am afraid I went a little too far last night — or 
was it the Burgundy? " he added, as he entered the 
avenue with a serious brow and thoughtful stride. 
‘‘ What a fool a man may make of himself, to be sure, 
in the presence of a seductive woman and amidst 
romantic surroundings! And yet! Ah me! what a 
divine creature! Never mind, my little Marion, I will 
atone for it all at our first meeting — although, upon my 
life, I thought on one or two occasions you more than 
reciprocated the attentions of that dark-faced Don, her 
brother. Hullo! what is this? Now may all the fiends 
of lower Sheol take the place and the savage who has 
done this! " 

The exclamation was called forth by the shattered 


68 


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condition of the two bicycles which lay against the 
wall of the lodge — their tyres cut to pieces, the spokes 
removed and bent, and the frames disintegrated in 
the most exhaustively destructive manner. 

Who has done this? Is this your handiwork, you 
thundering old scoundrel?” he enquired in angry 
tones of the imperturbable Breconridge, who had 
emerged from the lodge and was contemplating his 
annoyance with hardly suppressed satisfaction. 

In answer to the fiery appeal he pointed to his vacant 
chaps, and taking a memorandum book from his 
pocket, hastily scribbled a few words in it, and pre- 
sented it in triumph to the indignant youth. 

What is the meaning of this: ' By order of Lady 
Diarrogh, all bicycles found within the grounds are to 
be destroyed, and the riders ejected’? Indeed! then 
that will account, I suppose, for last night’s outrage? 
Very good, my Lady Diarrogh, that settles it. We 
shall not remain one hour longer in this inhospitable — 
this barbarous place! ” 

Without venturing another word, scarcely trusting 
himself in the transport of passion into which this 
wanton destruction had thrown him, he turned and 
strode up the avenue in a towering rage, fully intent on 
calling his fair hostess to account for the damage. 

From the narrow window of her bed-chamber in the 
Knight’s Tower, Marion Wilton, surveying the beau- 
ties of the landscape with rapturous eye, caught sight 


MY lady's banner. 


69 


of his figure as it emerged into the bright sunshine on 
the terrace, and with a slight cry of pleasure and a 
wave of her tiny laced handkerchief in delighted recog- 
nition she retired in haste to greet him on his entry to 
the castle. 

At the foot of the staircase leading from the tower 
she was, however, intercepted by the expectant Don 
Domingo, who, advancing hat in hand, with a pro- 
found bow of old-world, not to say antique, courtesy, 
enquired of her how she had slept after the fatigues of 
the previous day; and then, emboldened by the inno- 
cent candour of her reply, begged of her the extreme 
felicity of escorting her through the castle rooms. 

‘‘ But I was on my way to meet Mr. Darley, Don 
Domingo," she protested, with the sweetest expression 
of embarrassment on her child-face imaginable. ‘‘ For 
he is just about to enter the castle." 

'' Bueno, Senorita, we shall then duly encounter him 
in the corridor on our way. That is, of course," he 
added, with a calculative look in his dark eyes, ‘‘un- 
less he has already fallen in with my sister, who but 
this moment has left the castle to take the morning 
air." 

His perfidy was sufficiently rewarded by the look of 
deep chagrin that appeared in her soft eyes, and the 
gradual paling of the dimpled cheeks. 

“ Your sister is very kind — and very beautiful, Don 
Domingo," she observed, with a slight tremor of voice. 


70 


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scarcely knowing, in her heart's distress, what to say 
in reply to the insinuation — put to her in the way of 
query. 

Not more beautiful, by any means, than yourself. 
Miss Wilton," he boldly ventured, as his eyes held hers 
with an expression of the most ardent admiration. 

She met the look with the quiet unconcern of maid- 
enly innocence. 

You must not say that, Don Domingo, or I shall 
be very cross with you ; for you know I am not beautiful 
as your sister Lady Diarrogh is." 

‘‘ Possibly so, Senorita, in the eyes of those who 
can not discriminate. To me it is otherwise revealed. 
Ah me! but I am the most wretched of men." 

Really, Don Domingo, you alarm me," she ex- 
claimed, with genuine distress; for he had won her 
quick sympathies by sheer courtesy of manner. You 
would have had me believe this of you last night also; 
but I did not see why you should be in any way 
wretched, surrounded as you are by all that a man can 
wish for in this romantic old castle. What can it be 
then? Oh, tell me, and I will assist you if I can." 

‘‘ I am in love, Senorita — hopelessly, desperately, ab- 
solutely ! " 

Why then, Senor, you should have every reason 
not to be wretched! " 

How, Senorita, when this tender regard meets 
with no return?" 


MY lady’s banner. 


71 


‘‘ Nay, but it must — it shall,” she exclaimed, with all 
the impetuosity of her bright nature. I will see her 
myself and intercede for you, as once I did for my poor 
brother, who is dead, and succeeded.” 

I fear me it will be useless. Miss Wilton — al- 
though I may perhaps avail myself of your generous 
offer,” he remarked with a sigh, as he bent his head 
aside in mute wonder at the pure spirit of this maid, 
who could not, of her innocence, divine his meaning. 

Come, come, then Senor, you must in the mean- 
while be more cheerful ! ” she urged, with a winsome 
smile, as she took his arm and suffered him to con- 
duct her along the gloomy apartments of the castle. 
V Remember, I am at your service whenever it pleases 
you to scold, or coax, or tease this young lady into a 
sense of her duty. Now please to forget her for the 
moment and show me the pictures. Who is that 
kindly-faced old gentleman opposite in foreign uni- 
form — I like him, for he resembles my dear father, 
whom I adore? ” 

That, Senorita, is Don Balefred Diarrogh, my 
lady’s husband, who is dead.” 

Poor lady, how she must grieve at the loss. His 
very hair of silken gray is like my father’s — I could 
stroke it! ” 

He will, in the spirit, be pleased at having evoked 
so sincere a testimony of regard. Tell me, Senorita, 
when do you propose to leave us — I trust not for very 


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many days; your presence has so much contributed to 
our happiness? ” 

Thank you, sir. When Evelyn and your sister 
desire it. Personally, I have begged my father to 
sanction my stay for as long a period as Evelyn may 
wish. I leave everything to Evelyn,” she added, as a 
pretty flush mantled on her fair cheeks. 

“ You trust him then most unreservedly. Miss Wil- 
ton — this Senor Barley?” 

Now, of course I do, you most whimsical of men! ” 
she replied, with a merry laugh at the lugubrious ex- 
pression that accompanied this further attempt to 
arouse her jealousies. I have known Evelyn for 
years — indeed, ever since we were both little tiny mites, 
so high, and went cowslipping together on the fens. 
Why, look! There they are.” 

She pointed to where, in the deep recess of a dis- 
tant oriel, her hostess and young Barley stood in close 
and to all appearance earnest converse. 

Hush! come away. Miss Wilton,” he broke in hur- 
riedly, as he essayed to draw her aside. It can not 
be the young Barley. They are domestics possibly! 
See — he holds her hand. Oh, thou world, thou world 
of all outduring perfidy! ” 

‘‘ Nay, you must not hinder me thus. Bon Bo- 
mingo!” she exclaimed, with unwonted dignity. 

These are not domestics! See, they turn this way! 
It is Evelyn and your sister, Lady Biarrogh, 


MY lady’s banner. 


73 


and now they have seen us and are approaching! ’’ 
Dear little child-heart! What a pang the effort at 
dissimulation must have brought to it as she greeted 
the advancing couple with a cheerful smile. 

Of course I have accepted your apologies for the 
abruptness, you impulsive, hot-headed boy,” Dona 
Rufina was saying to the disconcerted youth as they 
drew near. It was assuredly most unjustifiable on 
Breconridge’s part, and highly exasperating to you 
without doubt. But I will issue immediate orders to 
have the machines replaced by new ones. Nay, I will 
hear of no denial! It is my wish. Good-morning, 
Miss Wilton, and you, my brother. See, Mr. Darley,” 
she remarked, in a whispered aside to the latter, '' how 
engaging a couple! It might be the pretty maid Rob- 
sart and her Leicester of Kenilworth, incarnate! ” 

He had fain to acknowledge the truth of the com- 
parison, though the thoughts it called up in his mind 
were only too apparent in the air of coldness with 
which he responded to his fair cousin’s greeting — a 
greeting no less reserved than his own. But whatever 
these impressions may have been, and however eagerly 
they may have wished to seek a mutual explanation, 
the opportunity was not vouchsafed to them by Rufina 
del Montefuego or her brother as they escorted the 
couple to the great hall, where, at the sound of the 
gong, the numerous house-party were already fore- 
gathering for the morning meal. 


74 


MY lady’s banner. 


CHAPTER VIII. 

SUAREZ INTERCEPTS THE POSTAL MESSENGER. 

Whatever conclusions the assembled cavaliers might 
have drawn from the events of the preceding evening, 
they permitted no evidence of their former contumeli- 
ousness to assert itself at the breakfast table; and 
pleased though '' my lady,” at the head of the board, 
could not help feeling thereat, she was too well con- 
versant with the feline propensities of the plot-loving 
Iberian to be at all satisfied with this volte-face on the 
part of her countrymen. 

Nevertheless, their sudden assumption of amiability 
served her purpose in dispelling any feeling of em- 
barrassment which the occurrences of that morning, 
had engendered in the mind of young Barley and Miss 
Wilton. 

The latter, with an undefinable feeling of pique at 
her lover’s flagrant disloyalty — a sentiment persistently 
fostered by the insinuations of the subtle Domingo — 
had sought his eyes shyly from time to time with the 
nearest approach they were capable of to a mild in- 
dignation. But the young man, his ears and eyes at 


MY lady’s banner. 


75 


the entire disposition of his fascinating vis-a-vis, 
seemed, whether of purpose or not, to have ignored her 
very presence; an added baseness of betrayal that was 
amply sufficient excuse for the nettled little lady en- 
tering into an equal flirtation with the delighted del 
Montefuego. And so, we regret to say, matters with 
them went on from bad to worse. 

To the general clatter of the conversation there was 
none who contributed so vivaciously and indiscrim- 
inately as the little Dona Mercedes. Precluded from 
discourse with Miss Wilton and young Darley by her 
lingual disabilities, she divided her attentions amongst 
the balance of the company, and treated them to an 
incessant flow of small talk that would have been highly 
diverting had it not been a little hysterical. 

The painter, Suarez, had likewise apparently recov- 
ered from his previous moroseness, and from his posi- 
tion at the end of the table waged colloquial war on 
all and sundry who might choose to try conclusions 
with him. 

From a social (if superficial) point of view, there- 
fore, it must be conceded that the morning meal was 
an unqualified success. 

That function over, and the assembled company duly 
notified by Lady Rufina of her intention of giving an 
entertainment that evening, Don Domingo carried his 
fair young guest off to the castle grounds, accompanied 
by the omniscient Dona Mercedes, whose elfish delight 


76 


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at his discomfiture was only exceeded by the chagrin 
her enforced presence caused him to feel. 

For the first time since they had entered the hall, 
Evelyn Barley condescended to bestow a glance of 
recognition on his cousin as she was about to retire; 
and touched by the evident symptoms of distress on 
that self-betraying little face, he was about to hasten 
to her side, when the slight pressure of a hand on 
his arm, and a murmured You will come with me, 
of course, will you not, Evelyn? ’’ made him dismiss the 
better impulse and turn instead with an acquiescent 
smile to the syren beside him. 

'' I am about to bestow a final sitting to Senor Suarez, 
Mr. Barley,” she continued in louder tones for the 
benefit of the artist. The interval will not be un- 
favourable to conversation, which will serve most 
excellently to pass the time. What say you. Bon 
Biego? Shall we proceed to the work at once? The 
Senor Barley’s presence will, I am sure, not interrupt 
the progress of your brush.” 

‘‘ But consider, my lady! ” protested the painter, with 
scarcely veiled annoyance. I shall not then be fa- 
voured with the advantage of that repose of feature so 
essential to my poor efforts 1 ” 

Nay, you forget, amigo y that the face has been 
completed. There only remains the last few touches to 
the dress. Have the goodness to conduct us to the 
studio, Senor.” 


MY lady’s banner. 


77 


'' But, my dear lady ” 

It is extremely impolite to speak in the presence 
of a guest in another tongue, Senor Suarez,” she inter- 
rupted, in low tones, as she turned on him with that 
majesty of command she knew so well how to assume. 

But if you have these fears for the result of your work 
so truly at heart, and wall persist in demonstrating 
them, I shall be com.pelled to send my maid to you 
with the robe, to which, together with the chair, you 
will be at liberty in my absence to devote your undi- 
vided attention ! ” 

Never was a presuming lover’s conge delivered with 
so unmistakable an emphasis of voice and inevitable- 
ness of glance. He stood before her for some seconds 
literally swaying under the stress of feeling her words 
had brought to him — his face denuded of all colour, 
and his eyes fixed upon hers with alternate glances of 
angry incredibility and piteous appeal. 

His obvious distress of mind was not lost on the 
Englishman, who now for the first time seemed to 
discern how matters were trending between the two, as, 
with an uncomfortable feeling at heart, he gave Lady 
Diarrogh his arm and followed the quiescent artist to 
the room which had been used as a studio. 

His meditative manner and the cause from which 
it had sprung were not lost on the prescient lady of the 
castle, and she proceeded to visit her further displeas- 
ure on the head of the unfortunate artist by addressing 


78 


MY lady's banner. 


her conversation wholly to young Darley, and only re- 
plying at intervals to the former when the nature of his 
work demanded it, and then only in the tolerant man- 
ner of an employer addressing herself to a privileged 
tradesman. 

At the conclusion of the sitting she arose with a 
charming affectation of languid indifference, and with 
a nod of dismissal left the room with her guest. 

No sooner had the door closed upon them than the 
wretched young man, letting his brush and palette fall 
to the ground with a gesture of utter despair, buried his 
face in his hands, and gave vent to a storm of passion- 
ate sobs. It was of a verity a pitiable sight, and one 
that would have possibly touched the heart of any other 
less hardened by a newly-conceived passion than Ru- 
fina del Montefuego. 

A full hour went by, and was loudly proclaimed by 
the castle clock, before he ventured to recover himself 
from the huddled attitude of inconsolable grief into 
which he had sunk, and when he arose to his feet with 
tear-soaked eyes and swollen features all that pictur- 
esque cast of beauty for which he was noted had ut- 
terly disappeared, and was replaced by the expression 
of an almost Satanic hatred. But this in turn was 
soon to be succeeded by one of quiet resolution, as he 
went over to a window and seated himself by an es- 
critoire to write. 

And, further, what he there indited was, to all ap- 


MY LADY S BANNER. 


79 


pearance, well thought out before it was committed to 
paper, for he paused at frequent intervals in the flow of 
the sentences to pass his hand over his moist brow and 
gaze over the tops of the distant elms. 

There, my Lady Diarrogh ! he muttered at last, as 
he sealed and addressed the envelope and dropped it 
into the pocket of his jacket. It is the obvious if 
vulgar return for this contumely towards one who 
would have willingly suffered the torture of the 
rack for the recompense of your love. It now but 
remains to have this information of your schemes 
transmitted to the Government with the utmost 
despatch, and, that successfully accomplished, to notify 
you of my desire to relieve you of my presence within 
the castle.’’ 

He left the room and the building with the quiet 
stealth of one on whose face the still visible traces 
of the moral storm might serve to awaken suspicion 
and distrust. 

‘‘Stay! Caramba, I had forgotten!” he ejaculated 
with a gesture of despair, as he paused on the avenue 
within sight of the lodge. ‘‘ What is this Mercedes 
has told me this morning? No exit, and no letters from 
the castle, without my lady’s passport in writing! 
Santa Maria, what a demoness revealed is this wom- 
an! Bueno, then I must succeed by some other and 
more subtle means in evading this restriction.” 

At this juncture, having espied the approaching 


8o 


MY lady’s banner. 


figures of Don Domingo del Montefiiego and his two 
companions as they proceeded up the avenue, he 
turned off by a side-path towards a grove of rhodo- 
dendrons hard by, from behind which he was in a posi- 
tion to command a view of the lodge gates, while re-* 
maining hidden to the trio on their way to the castle. 

It is about the hour for the midday post,” he 
mused, as he consulted his watch impatiently, and 
I shall see the postal messenger enter the lodge gates 
for the letter bag without removing from my position 
here. Now, let me carefully construe the position that 
is before me. He will, after delivering and receiving 
his letters, pass along by the road that winds directly 
under the castle walls away yonder to the left. Bueno, 
I shall be there in readiness to intercept him. The 
letter, which is of ample dimensions, shall be tied thus 
to this stone of cylindrical shape and thrown over the 
wall to fall before his eyes on the highway. It is 
addressed and franked, and it will only remain for him 
to convey it to the village post office.” 

The sound of the postman’s horn outside the lodge 
gates here warned him of the arrival of the moment for 
immediate action. 

He watched the gate open and the interchange of 
letters take place between the major-domo and the 
messenger, and then, making a hurried mental calcula- 
tion of the time that should elapse before the latter 
reached a certain point beyond the boundary wall of 


MY lady’s banner. 


8i 


the castle, he proceeded swiftly, and under every avail- 
able cover, across the park to carry out his plan of 
interception. 

As he did so the major-domo, pipe in mouth, has- 
tened after the postman into the main road and whistled 
the departing official back to him. When the latter 
reached his side he pointed to the unlit bowl of the pipe, 
slapped his pockets, shook his head in the direction 
of the castle, and was about to chalk up '' match ” on 
the wall for the benefit of the obtuse rustic, when the 
latter, divining his meaning with a sympathetic grin, 
laid down his bag, and went through all his pockets in 
careful search for the necessary vesuvian. It was 
eventually discovered (the last of its fellows, as it ever 
is) within the lining of his trousers pocket, and, having- 
been struck and carefully fostered within their mutual 
palms, the consummation so devoutly wished by the 
old soldier was attained, and the postman, with shoul- 
dered bag, was at liberty to proceed on his rounds. 

In the meanwhile the youthful Diego Suarez had 
arrived at the calculated point of operations, and hav- 
ing listened intently for any sound of movement on 
the other side of the high wall, was almost immediately 
rewarded by a footfall on the hard road — almost in 
front of where he was standing. There was not a 
moment to be lost, then. He threw the missile with its 
attachment well over the stonework, and without wait- 
ing for any results that might reach his ears, he went 


82 


MY lady’s banner. 


off at a rapid pace in the direction of the lodge. 

Now, my friend,” said he, as he .strode along over 
the leaf-strewn turf, “ you will do either one of two 
things. You will proceed to post it without question, 
or you will return with it to the lodge. Very good; 
then I shall be at the lodge, engaged with this mastiff 
Englishman, and if you should adopt the latter course 
I shall take it back from your hand with a suitable ex- 
cuse. To-night she shall in any event be acquainted 
with my intention — her portrait being completed — to 
return to my home in Burgos. She will believe all to 
be well, for I shall not in any way betray my feelings to 
her, and she will probably entrust me with the delivery 
of those last despatches which shall acquaint el Sehor 
Don Carlos of the disposition of the Biscayan forces. 
But they shall go — these treasonable evidences — to 
Madrid instead. Now, may all the Fates prosper me 
in my designs.” 

The Fates had apparently begun only too well to 
favour them, for, during the half-hour’s wait in the 
lodge, on the plea of fatigue, he was undisturbed by 
the re-admission of the postman, and so went off 
to the castle to ingratiate himself into the confidences 
of the conspirators with a view to their lending their 
sanction to his departure from Tarnworth on the fol- 
lowing day. 


MY LADY S BANNER, 


83 


CHAPTER IX. 

MISS MERCEDES SPEAKS HER MIND. 

Wearied, and a little frightened, by the importuni- 
ties of the ardent del Montefuego, which even the 
presence of Dona Mercedes could not wholly repress, 
and burning for an opportunity of meeting her cousin 
and taxing him on his recent cavalier treatment of her, 
Marion Wilton, on reaching the castle and without a 
word of excuse, suddenly left Don Domingo to the 
tender mercies of his fiancee, and set off in quest of 
Evelyn Darley. 

Immediately the countenance of the little Spanish 
Sehorita underwent so prodigious a change that the 
unfortunate Domingo, but for the indecorum of the 
thing, would certainly have taken to his heels and fled. 

'' You appear to have forgotten yourself, Sehor — or 
me — or both, that you should have so scandalously 
conducted yourself in my presence, ^before our com- 
patriots; ay, and before the eyes of the very menials 
of my cousin’s house! ” 

Her indignation had brought her to a full stop, liter- 
ally agasp for breath, and choking with her emotions. 


84 


MY LADY S BANNER. 


Don Domingo took in the position at a glance. He 
had to some extent been prepared for it, and had made 
up his mind as to his attitude. But her violence came 
as an unpleasant surprise to him, scaring him not a 
little at first, though nerving him in the end to break 
off relations that, from a matrimonial view-point, 
augured so ominously for a future of storm and 
stress. 

'' Caramba, but have you not forgotten yourself, my 
cousin?’’ said he, with studied calmness, as he stood 
facing her coldly in the vestibule. '' Remember that 
we are even now under the surveillance of those very 
menials you have named, and that it will not mend 
matters to persist in so vulgar a display of asperity.” 

‘‘Vulgar! Madre de Dios! This to me, Senor? 
Oh, it is beyond tolerance! Domingo, have you then 
taken leave of your senses — have you forgotten? ” 

“ I have forgotten nothing, Mercedes,” he replied, 
deliberately. “ It is deplorable, it is true — this devel- 
opment unforeseen. But, querida mia, ft is a decree of 
the Fates that can not now be evaded; and regret- 
table — inexcusable as it may seem to you to be in its 
perverseness, we must learn, Senorita, to forget — pos- 
sibly to forgive ” 

“ To forget — never. To forgive — never, Senor, in 
this world! So, then it would appear that you are 
infatuated beyond reclaim by the machinations of this 
doll-faced chit of an English girl? Do you not know. 


MY lady’s banner. 85 

then, that she is betrothed — that we are betrothed? 
Have you no consideration, no shame, Senor? ” 

She had thrown all maidenly reserve to the winds, 
and, with his arm tightly grasped, had hissed the words 
in his face with eyes of fire, and lips parched and con- 
torted with fury. 

You disarrange my surtout, Senorita. Have the 
goodness to desist. I have no wish to quarrel with 
you. Heaven only knows; but you are presuming too 
much on my tolerance, and I must again demand of 
you to cease these idle tirades.” 

Senor del Montefuego, you are a coward! ” 
Morally, Senorita, possibly I am. I regret it — 
deplore it, wishing sincerely it were not so. But what 
would you in the circumstances?” 

'' Bah! Out upon you, cur. You are execrable to 
me beyond the reach of language! Our relations shall 
from this moment cease. There! and may my curse 
alight upon you with it ! ” 

She had been tugging furiously at her left hand the 
while, and now, with the malediction, hurled the ring 
full in his face. It struck him on the forehead, leaving 
a livid mark, and then rolled slowly away under a 
distant cabinet. His pallid features flushed under the 
insult, and his hands clenched involuntarily; but he 
recovered himself by a supreme effort as he remarked 
with all his former frigidness of manner — 

Better that the dismissal should have come from 


86 


MY LADY S BANNER. 


you, Senorita. Bueno, so be it then. There is nothing 
more to be said.’’ 

Look to yourself, del Montefuego! ” she cried, in 
a voice that was so full of menace that it made him 
suddenly turn to her again as he was about to leave 
the room. Ah, coward, you had forgotten! My 
brother, Don Fabricio, shall call you to a bitter account 
for this! ” 

I repeat to you again, Senorita, that if under the 
unhappy circumstances I may have played the moral 
poltroon, yet am I no coward.” 

''We shall see, Sefior. Yet, mark you, I shall not 
be idle. They shall be warned, these Ingles. I have 
not been blind to my lady’s intentions. Reflect! if 
I am temporarily placed under pecuniary obligations 
to Lady Diarrogh, there are limits to gratitude when 
liberty of movement ceases, and Mercedes del Monte 
becomes common to her ladyship’s espials. I shall 
now immediately proceed to my brother, Don Fabricio, 
and acquaint him of this insult.” 

" Caraniba, madam, I fear him not! Let him come 
on of God’s name! ” 

He turned and left her without another word; and, 
with a cry of impotent rage, she sank into a chair in 
a corner of the room and sobbed the hours away in 
silence. 

She was aroused eventually by the sound of foot- 
steps, and on looking up saw the youthful figure of 


MY lady's banner. 


87 


the artist Suarez standing before her, and regarding 
her with the first display of genuine sympathy to which 
she had been treated for many a day. 

'' Mercedes! " 

Diego! " 

Don Domingo has been with you, then?" 

He has, and it is all now of the past." 

'' Come," said he, taking her by the arm gently, and 
leading her away. Come into th^ open air, for I 
have a great deal to tell you before I leave you to- 
morrow — possibly for ever!" 

She looked up at him with an expression of be- 
wilderment and surprise, but suffered him, neverthe- 
less, to escort her from the room. 

Marion Wilton had, in the meantime, proceeded 
through the suite of rooms at the end of the corridor, 
in search of Evelyn; and, finding them unoccupied, had 
passed from the studio into a second lobby hewn 
apparently out of the solid outer wall of the castle, 
and, like the first, adorned with a miscellaneous col- 
lection of armoury, interspersed with portraits of by- 
gone Diarroghs in mail, in velvets, ruffed and laced; 
and all, as it seemed to the distressed maid, with eyes 
levelled upon her, and angrily observant of her every 
movement. 

Several times in her progress she had come upon 
a domestic, silent, contained, and obviously of foreign 
nationality; but they had slunk away at her approach, 


88 


MY lady’s banner. 


like familiars of the castle, giving her no opportunity 
for enquiry as to Lady Diarrogh’s whereabouts. This 
studied avoidance, which had obtained ever since her 
arrival, helped to increase her trepidation and her dis- 
like of the place, its people, and all their ways. In- 
deed, she felt at times in her distress and amid the chill 
gloom of these vasts that she could almost have in- 
dulged in a good cry if it had not been that she was 
among aliens, and felt that the national character must 
be upheld at all hazards. Besides, what would Evelyn 
have thought of her as contrasted with the self-pos- 
sessed creature who already seemed to have monopo- 
lised all his attention? 

As she was hurrying along the corridor the sound of 
music, soft, plaintive, and distant, came gradually upon 
her ears; and seeing a low pointed door on her right 
partially open, through which the sounds appeared to 
enter, she moved it upon its massive wrought hinges 
and stepped timidly within. 

She saw at a glance that she had entered the ancient 
chapel of the castle, and that the musical sounds were 
proceeding from an organ placed within a gallery sur- 
mounting the lower end of the nave. 

The construction of the sacred edifice, although in 
miniature, was of truer form than that of many another 
and more imposing place of worship. Nave, aisles, 
transept, and ambulatories were all there, in happy pro- 
portion — shafted and groined, spandrelled and carved 


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by the unerring hands of craftsmen, now as utterly for- 
gotten as the divine art that inspired them. And 
through the stained glass in the rare old windows the 
dappled light fell prettily in upon the mosaic flooring, 
the quaint oakwork, and the recumbent effigies of old- 
world Diarroghs upstaring in stony silence at the tat- 
tered and dusty bannerols on high. 

The place, the music, and the silence of peace they 
suggested came as a grateful relief to the vexed feel- 
ings of the young girl; and closing the heavy portal 
softly behind her, she stole on tip-toe along the tran- 
sept into which she had entered, and seating herself in 
a pew directly under the organ-loft, gave free rein to 
her thoughts while listening to the sweet harmonies 
from above. 

The music itself was continued in the same subdued 
strain, as though the executant were playing to his own 
thoughts, and in some fear that his performance should 
disturb the meditations of others. And as she sat there 
apart, her face supported by her hands, and her large 
soft eyes staring up at the grey vaults above her, the 
mellow notes of the ancient reeds under the deft 
manipulation of the invisible performer seemed to 
enter her full heart like the whispered condolence of 
pitying angels. And when, as the modulated har- 
monies of the mass movement swelled in volume till 
they reached a climax of tremulous and passionate ap- 
peal, to die away in closing chords, so significant of a 


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peace eternal, the unhappy child, her home, her father, 
Evelyn, and her miserable position so vividly brought 
before her by this tender ordeal of music, gave way at 
last to her pent-up feelings, and, shrinking into a cor- 
ner of the old pew, broke into a passionate fit of weep- 
ing. 

The intense quiet that followed upon the cessation of 
the music was broken by the noise of the closing key- 
board and the movement of feet on the stairs leading 
from the loft. They came down slowly and very 
hesitatingly, those feet, as though their possessor were 
infirm of body and doubted their failing powers. 
Presently the entrance to the staircase was darkened 
and a very old man — a priest — with shaven features 
of ascetic cast, large kindly blue eyes, and long white 
hair of a silky flossiness, stood in the body of the 
chapel, his small, spare figure bent with years, and his 
scant breath going and coming with painful frequency. 

As he stood there contemplating the array of empty 
seats with an expression of sorrow upon his benevolent 
face his eyes fell upon a little head of golden curls 
amidst which the straggling sunbeams were lovingly 
playing, and with a start of surprise he hastily assumed 
his spectacles and approached the object a little nearer 
to assure himself that he was in the presence of a 
mortal, and not some revealed Saint Dolorosa, as the 
good man had at first surmised. 

Having convinced himself of its mundane attributes, 


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91 


and further noted that the stranger was a young lady — 
a mere child, and in evident distress — he produced a 
snuff-box from his vest pocket, and applied himself to 
its contents in meditative silence before he ventured to 
address her. 

When he did so it was in tones of the sweetest 
cadence — so like the music that had but recently 
appealed to her inmost heart. 

“ Benedicte, my daughter! You are troubled in mind. 
Come, let it be my duty to assuage this sorrow." 

She looked up at him dazedly and with swimming 
eyes for a second, and then laid her forehead down 
again on the wooden sill in her previous attitude of 
grief without being able to utter a word. 

'' Come, come, my child! " he again ventured as he 
softly entered the pew, and, seating himself by her side, 
placed a thin, transparent hand caressingly on her head. 
‘‘ Listen, and I will address you in the English tongue, 
for I see you are of that nationality. Look up at me, 
and speak to me without fear, for I am an old man, 
and one ordained of God to intercede with Him on 
behalf of His sorrowing children." 

His words, his touch, and the depth of tender pity in 
the old voice had something of the soothing effect of 
the parent towards the child; and she ceased to weep as 
she turned to him, and, with a grateful smile that came 
as a gleam of sunlight through an April shower, 
thanked him for his solicitude. 


92 


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‘‘ I have been very foolish — Father,” she said, with 
an heroic effort to repress the rising sob. '' Very — very 
foolish. It must have been the strangeness of the place 
— the peace — the — the — sweetness of the music above 
all, that made me forget myself.” 

The old man’s eyes beamed with pleasure upon her at 
this artless tribute to his recent performance. 

'' So you are fond of music, my daughter. Very well, 
I will play to you again some day, when you will prom- 
ise me to refrain from weeping.” 

Then it was you who played? I am sure it is 
very kind of you, and if you will do so again I will 
promise you to be so good and listen to you ever so 
quietly.” 

Ah, that is better, my child ! And now I am sure 
we shall get on famously together. For you are of the 
few children in these degenerate days whose natural 
goodness appeals to the sympathies of the aged. I 
may read that without difficulty in the unspotted pur- 
ity of those speaking eyes. But why are you here, 
child? Come, tell me about yourself, without hesita- 
tion or reserve, for, believe me, I have taken an exceed- 
ing great interest in you.” 

This she at once proceeded to do, hiding nothing 
from him in the guilelessness of her young heart, the 
old man listening with rapt attention to the detailed 
recital, and, as she concluded, betraying very evident 
symptoms of deep distress. 


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93 


I may not be with you, my child,” said he, very 
earnestly, to watch over the development of events, 
for my presence in the drawing-room, or at the table, 
has long since ceased to be desired ; nor am I called into 
their counsels, as in the lifetime of my Lord Diarrogh. 
But of this be assured, and I say it with all respect 
to her ladyship, at whose hands I have ever met with 
the greatest consideration, the castle of Tarnworth is 
no fit place for you or your betrothed to be within. 
Nay, be not alarmed, matters have not yet reached that 
stage when they may not, even at this hour, be quickly 
mended. But remember this well, that if at any time 
you should be in peril of any kind while within these 
walls, hasten to me here — to Father Benito — in the 
chapel, and I shall be at hand to render you aid. For 
myself, I have for many years been in the service of the 
Montefuego family, and in that position left Spain to 
follow my lady’s fortunes, but, alas! with the stir of 
recent events, the priest and his offices have been sore 
neglected, if not utterly discarded, and I live here 
entirely alone, unnoticed by the family, and apart from 
the household. 

‘‘ I would not wish to be disloyal to her ladyship,” he 
hastened to add, by counselling your immediate 
departure from hence, but I would be remiss in my 
duty of shielding you from harm were I to withhold it. 
You will therefore take the first opportunity this day of 
seeing your cousin and urging this upon him. If un- 


94 


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fortunately he should be obdurate and wish for further 
information, send him here to me.” 

She had already started to her feet in dismay, her 
colour going and coming with her fears, but the old 
man took her by the hand and gently drew her to 
the seat at his side. 

'' Hush, child ! you must remain here for a little while 
longer to recover from your trepidation and compose 
your features, otherwise your agitation may not escape 
her ladyship’s notice, and she would surmise from 
whence this perturbation arose.” 

Oh, Father Benito, you have awakened my very 
worst fears. Let me go to him at once! See, I have 
quite recovered from my agitation, and I will promise 
you to be most discreet! ” 

Nay, nay, you must hear me, child, and be ad- 
vised! Would you then compromise me? ” 

‘‘ No, indeed no, not for worlds. Father! ” she cried, 
impulsively, as she took his aged hands in hers." “ I 
shall never forget your kindness — never — never, or 
know how to sufficiently thank you! ” 

Let me be in your memory, my child,” he said, his 
eyes moistening and his old voice quavering with feel- 
ing. Let me be in your memory for the wshort time I 
shall be here, and in the days when I shall have passed 
away. For next to the consolation spiritual, what 
dearer thought is there to the forsaken than to be held 
in affectionate remembrance by a truly good woman. 


MY lady’s banner. 


95 


There, have you my blessing, daughter! May the 
weight of sorrow never more find a resting-place on 
this little head. Come, let us now go up to the or- 
gan, and I will play away your fears until it shall be 
time for you to see your cousin. Yes, child, I will ac- 
cept of your arm so generously proffered. Come.” 


96 


MY lady’s banner. 


CHAPTER X. 

THE FETE AT TARNWOkTH. 

The full harvest moon shone down that night upon 
Tarnworth Castle en fete. Never within the memory 
of its retainers had its old walls echoed to such bois- 
terous peals of merriment. A brilliant supper in the 
great hall had been followed by music in the drawing- 
room, to which the guests, one and all, had contributed 
to the best of their abilities. The hidalgos, having per- 
force to accept a situation that was now to all appear- 
ance inevitable, had hastened to make every amend 
in their power, and as a set-off lo their previous gloom 
were entering heart and soul into the gaieties of the 
evening. The sadly disproportionate number of gen- 
tlemen had debarred them from the pleasures of the co- 
tillon; but the deficiency was more than made up for 
by the universality of the brilliant hostess, who seemed 
bent that evening on gaining the unqualified good 
opinion of all and every of these her strangely assorted 
guests; now bandying jests with the reserved and aged 
Don Francisco, and the no less venerable Don Satur- 
nino, anon chaffing the youthful Don Urbano and his 


MY lady’s banner. 


97 


boon companion Don Santiago over some recent 
escapade in Madrid, at other times in dulcet tones of 
implied regret at her recent gaucherie imploring the 
politely obdurate artist Suarez to reconsider his deci- 
sion to depart from the castle on the following day. 
Then she would address herself to her brother and Miss 
Wilton, rallying them gaily, albeit judiciously, yet in 
terms well calculated to fuel the jealousies of Evelyn 
Darley, to whom, in turn, she appealed less by word 
of mouth than by an occasional and half-suppressed 
sigh, or a look of the tenderest meaning. 

The youth, on the other hand, with beating heart 
and head all adaze with the sweet bewilderment of 
one in a dream-scene, half dared to challenge the 
scarcely concealed admiration he read in those Circe- 
like eyes. All very deplorable from the moralist’s 
point of view, ’tis true, but true nevertheless it was 
in point of fact, and as such it must stand recorded 
against him. 

At the piano, to the accompaniment of the versatile 
Urbano y Rodriguez, the enchanting hostess, with the 
pose of a goddess, had electrified the assembled guests 
and privileged servants by a series of Gitana airs, sung 
with a bewitching delivery and intonement worthy of 
the syrens of fable. In sooth, it was a marvellous per- 
formance in its display of passionate fervour, when it 
is remembered how desperate was the position to 
which she sought to attain, how impossible the stakes 


98 


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for which she was so recklessly playing, and that it was 
essayed in the presence of one listener at least who took 
little pains to conceal her hostility: la Sehorita Mer- 
cedes del Monte, to wit. 

Her brother had also entered into the musical por- 
tion of the entertainment with a corresponding assump- 
tion of levity, and had sung a canzonet with his cousin, 
Don Fabricio, with a verve and go that would have 
astonished the young Englishman all the more had he 
but known that the two gentlemen were even then 
pledged to mortal combat as a natural corollary to the 
affair Mercedes. 

One other of that company (we allude to the little 
English maid) sat distraught and silent, her eyes fixed 
upon her unobservant lover with an expression or 
righteous indignation, and the warning words of the 
good Padre Benito ringing in her ears to the exclusion 
of Don Domingo’s Quixotic personalisms. She had 
discovered to her consternation that the attentions of 
her devoted cavalier were a source of unmitigated 
annoyance to the Andalusian Senorita nearby, and 
with that intuition, as between woman and woman, 
she had grasped the whole situation in one instant: 
his manner towards her, his allusions to a hopeless 
love, the now apparent truth that the affections of the 
little Spanish maiden, his cousin, were being trifled 
with, and that she, Marion Wilton, alone was the inno- 
cent cause of all this! The reaction on her feelings was 


MY lady's banner. 


99 


so overwhelming that even the Doha Mercedes, from 
under her drooping eyelids, could not fail to interpret 
her open-eyed look of horror, and her slight move- 
ment of recoil from the side of the Spaniard at the 
moment when the facts of the situation came upon her 
so vividly. 

The poor girl had endeavoured upon more than one 
occasion, during the supper and in the drawing-room, 
to enlist young Barley's attention, and even to address 
him on the subject so near to her heart; but on each 
occasion she had been thwarted by the lynx-like watch- 
fulness of the Doha Rufina and her brother, and a 
natural sense of the politeness due from a guest re- 
strained her from openly conveying to him her fears — 
with the certain result of its drawing down upon her not 
only his ridicule, but the well-deserved reproaches of so 
indulgent a hostess. 

It was left for the wit of the resourceful Doha 
Mercedes to accomplish that for which this forlorn 
young maid had so long been pining. And as a 
means to that end the latter had attached the services 
of one no less interested than the painter Suarez. 

I would have them meet each other without fur- 
ther delay, Diego," she whispered to the latter during 
the progress of the music, “ but I am debarred by their 
language from speaking to them. Here have you the 
opportunity now, while my lady is singing and the 
English Sehor sits alone. Engage him in friendly 


LofC. 


lOO 


MY lady's banner. 


conversation, and bid him if he has any regard for 
his young countrywoman to grant her some moments’ 
conversation on a matter of great urgency. It will not 
be necessary to explain. She will do that for us, if 
I mistake not. You will then proceed to the Sehorita 
Wilton in like manner when Don Domingo goes to 
the piano, and acquaint her also of this appointment. 
Haste, amigo, you have barely the opportunity! Have 
no fears, for they will observe the necessary discretion.” 

Leaning back on her fauteuil, and manipulating her 
fan with well-affected admiration of her cousin’s vocal 
performance, she marked with feelings of exultation the 
complete success of her co-conspirator’s mission. She 
saw with what genuine friendliness young Darley 
greeted him, and the slight start and look of anxiety 
with which the whispered communication had been re- 
ceived. 

'' Excellente! ” she murmured, pleasedly. May 
bueno, Diego mio! Your devotion merits a better 
recognition than it will ever receive at her hands. Now 
for the Senorita! The Sehor del Montefuego has al- 
ready departed to the piano, to sing to the accompani- 
ment of Don Urbano y Rodriguez. Now would the 
bowlings of all the fiends in purgatory make sweeter 
music for my ears than thy vile throatings — picaro! 
Dios prosper thee, Diego, in thy errand! He has va- 
cated his seat to the scowling Rufina (who has prob- 
ably suspected his motive in being there), and has 


MY lady's banner. 


lOI 


stopped with careless greeting before this Mistress 
Robsart — I would tear her baby features with these 
nails, oh, so willingly! Hah! she likewise has heard, 
and now dissembles her anger, and possibly her joy 
(for she is, after all, but a woman), at the prospect of 
meeting her boy-lover, and scolding him into his old 
servitude. Welcome, Don Diego, for I see you have 
succeeded to perfection! " 

You have observed correctly, Sehorita," he replied 
yAth the complacence of gratified malice, and it now 
but requires the opportunity to bring this meeting to 
a head. Personally, I fail to see how it can be 
practicable." 

“ Caramba, my friend, you are obtuse! The oppor- 
tunity will present itself in the same manner, justa- 
, mente. On the conclusion of el Sehor s song la Sehora, 
his sister, will be unanimously called upon to sing with 
her brother the favourite duet of Rossini (I will see 
to that), at the close of which, and during the applause 
that will follow, the Senor Darley and Miss Wilton 
will meet and retire. With you, Sehor, rests the 
responsibility of imparting the necessary signal of 
departure." 

And, as they calculated, so events fell out, and 
favoured the meeting of the youthful couple. For 
though they were bound by every rule of decorum to 
listen to the duet to its end, they felt on its termina- 
tion, and from the look which the artist had trans- 


102 


MY LADY S BANNER. 


mitted to them, that the psychical moment had at last 
arrived. 

And so they arose, and, approaching one another 
with constrained greeting, hurriedly left the room 
together. 

The expression of annoyance that appeared on the 
faces of Doha Rufina and her brother on perceiving 
that their birds had flown was not lost to the two mal- 
contents, to whom, it is scarcely necessary to add, it 
imparted the greatest gratification; though they had 
taken care, by keeping apart and assuming an air of 
the utmost unconsciousness, that their complicity 
might not be brought to question. 

Let them go, my brother,’’ said the angry chatelaine 
in an undertone, and with a restraining gesture, as he 
was about to leave the room in search of the absent 
couple. The mistake is for the present irreparable. 
Let them go — to quarrel as they surely must, and sit 
you here by my side until I unfold to you my plans 
for to-morrow’s events, which shall decide for the 
success or failure of our purposes. Our cousin and 
yonder wretch consummate, Diego, have undoubtedly 
scored against us in this move; my malisons on him, 
and her too, the spitfire jade! But it shall be the 
last. I will have care for that, my hateful friends. 
Ay, brother, even though I should be forced to put 
the castle vaults to their ancient uses. Nay, I speak 
not in vain! ” 


MY lady’s banner. 


103 

Perturbed though he was by the unfortunate turn of 
events, he could not repress the feeling of awed admira- 
tion for her determined and magnificent audacity which 
the threat had evoked, followed as it was by a look of 
majestic wrath, such as sovereignty itself might have 
cowered under. 

You have my sympathies, sister,” said he, with a 
reproving look nevertheless. But you will please 
remember that Don Fabricio, her brother, would 
scarcely tolerate such extreme methods of repression. 
It would be impossible.” 

Let him object,” she retorted, with superb con- 
tempt in the utterance. Has he not appealed to the 
sword in this affair of Mercedes?” 

But the encounter is deferred until we meet on 
Spanish soil, and ” 

'' But it may not be deferred, if events should hasten 
the meeting,” she interrupted, with significant empha- 
sis. For we are here, to all intents and purposes, on 
Spanish territory, while I am mistress of this castle 
and the tongues within it. So unless you fear ” 

Sister!” 

Hah! you are touched, then. Good, my brother; I 
know that you are no coward. Hear me, therefore; 
and, oh! ye spirits of good and evil, hearken unto me 
also, for the moment has come when I shall need all 
your aids. To-morrow this youth — this Evelyn — to 
whom, my brother, it should be apparent to you I 


104 


MY lady's banner, 


have devoted all my life’s great affection, ay, and 
should it be necessary, life itself. This youth — the fate- 
ful one, so truly predicted of Lovell, the gipsy — will de- 
clare his equal passion for me; for I have seen it in his 
eyes, and know that it must be so. Oh, say that it is 
so, my brother, for you have seen, and may divine me 
this!” 

Hush, sister! you must maintain a condition of 
calm,” he urged in a hurried whisper, as she appeared, 
under the stress of her feelings, to be on the point of 
throwing her usual discretion aside. Be of good 
heart, for I have not been unobservant of this young 
man’s demeanour in your presence, and would more 
than marvel if he, or any other man, were so insensate, 
so incapable of love, as not to be won over to you, even 
from the side of the little angelsitOy whose regard (with 
all deference to you, my superb sister) is so hopelessly 
wasted upon him — a regard which I, with equal resolu- 
tion, have dedicated my life to attain. Pray you, now, 
proceed with more discreetness.” 

‘‘ You have right, my brother. We have hitherto no 
reason to suspect that we have lost ground; and what- 
ever may pass between Sehor Barley and Miss Wilton 
be assured it will be known to me to-night, and, if 
necessary, it will be remedied before they retire to rest. 
To-morrow, I have told you, he will, he must, declare 
his better regard for me; and, madly impossible as it 
may appear to you, their engagement will be broken 


MY lady's banner. 1 05 

off, and we shall be married in the Chapel of Our Lady 
by the Padre Benito! 

'' And the Senorita? 

I care not. She must learn to acquiesce in the 
inevitable, and make amends by bestowing her hand 
on my brother, whom she appears to me to have 
exceptionally favoured with her attentions. Both 
parties being consentant, their families will doubtless 
see fit to acknowledge the situation. In any event, I 
tell you, I care not! Should she be obdurate, bueno, 
she will be at liberty to leave the castle and return 
to her home. For me, it is my intention to withdraw 
with my husband from Tarnworth, and for ever to leave 
the field of politics to others more fitted to engage in 
its mediocrities. You look astonished, my brother! 
Ah ! so might I have felt and looked but the day before 
yesterday; but this love is a greater factor in a wom- 
an’s life than the fate of kings ! ” 

‘‘ Heaven prosper you in your undertaking, my sis- 
ter! ” he muttered, with great fervency, “ and Heaven 
also put it into this young girl’s pure heart to listen 
favourably to me! It would indeed be a happy con- 
summation; for I likewise, under the spell of the little 
witch’s enchantments, would fain cry a halt to these in- 
terminable plottings. But, in the event of absolute 
failure, what then, my sister? ” 

“ Silence, my brother! ” she answered him abruptly 
— her hand grasping his fingers tightly, and the great 


lo6 MY lady's banner. 

dark eyes fixed on vacancy with a wildness of stare that 
caused him involuntarily to shrink from her. ‘‘ Hush, 
you have asked me that question before, and you have 
been answered. I will wait till that moment shall 
arrive, and should it come — biieno, the spirits will guide 
me! But, see, a domestic approaches, and would 
deliver to me a letter! " 

‘‘ It is from Breconridge," she added, when she had 
broken the seal and read the contents, and informing 
me of Lovell's presence in the avenue with important 
despatches from abroad. Caramba! it should be of 
great urgency, then, for he is some hours before his 
time! Remain here, my brother, and keep the assembly 
in humour as best you may, for I shall not be long 
detained." 

Dismissing the servant, she quietly withdrew, and in 
a very short space of time had reached the avenue by 
the lodge gates. 

As she neared the trysting-place the tall figure of a 
man moved out from behind the trunk of a gigantic 
witch-elm, behind which he had been concealed, and 
stood with bared head in an open moonlit space wait- 
ing her approach. 

He was a man of advanced years, powerfully built, 
and standing above six feet in height — of swarthy 
features, with large, dark eyes, and well-defined upper 
lids, and a head of grey bushy hair that had once ap- 
parently been of the darkest shade. He wore a scarlet 


MY lady's banner. 107 

neckcloth knotted loosely at the throat, and was clad 
in a brown jacket and vest of well-worn velveteen, with 
nether garments of gaitered corduroy. A splendid 
specimen, truly, of the gipsy headman, without any of 
that slouch of gait or furtiveness of look so often the 
attributes of that remarkable people. Yet, though his 
attitude betokened deference to the mistress of Tarn- 
worth, there was something in the resolute gaze of the 
v/ell-opened and expressive eyes that certainly implied 
no condition of vassalage to her imperious will. 

You are early, Lovell," she observed, after she had 
greeted him with more friendliness of manner than was 
her wont to her inferiors in station. '' You have re- 
ceived very important papers, then, or you would not 
have urged this meeting before the pre-appointed 
time? " 

‘‘ Yes, my lady, you have judged correctly," he 
quietly answered, as he noted and read, with the un- 
erring instinct of his race, her flushed cheeks and the 
new light that was in her eyes. Despatches have been 
handed to me only this morning, and from a new and 
quite unexpected quarter. I had thought to keep 
them until midnight, and present them to you then; 
but, on second consideration, I felt that they ought to 
be placed in your hands at once. Here, my lady, you 
have them as I received them." 

She took the packet from him with an impatient 
movement, and thrust it in the pocket of her robe. 


io8 


MY lady's banner. 


''There, let it bide its turn! I am tired — so very 
tired of these interminable embassies. Oh, Lovell, it 
was not for this I wished to see you ! It was for some- 
thing else far nearer and dearer to my heart! Lovell, 
he has come!" 

" Indeed, my lady! " * 

" Oh, do not dissemble thus before me — you who 
possess the power to read our hearts and divine the 
inscrutable future! I tell you again that he of whom 
you foretold me is here — at this moment — within the 
compass of these walls; and that, as you have forecast 
it, so, alas! it has come to pass." 

He stood with bent head, holding the hand she had 
laid upon his in her terrible earnestness, and gazing 
down sorrowfully into the magnificent eyes that were 
upturned to his with almost a pleading expression. " I 
am grieved to hear it — daughter; for I may call you by 
the name that denominates you of our blood. Is it 
not foretold that this first absolute love shall be de- 
barred " 

" By the cross — a mere cross, yes, yes — what of 
that!" she broke in, impatiently. "You based your 
fears on the sign of the cross which terminates the 
love line on this hand. But that is nothing — it can 
mean nothing — I have no patience with these supersti- 
tions; and were I not of your blood, and knew this 
youth's arrival had been truly predicted, I should feel 
disposed to laugh at your prophecies after the manner 


MY lady's banner. 


109 


of strangers at the fortune-tellers of our race. Oh, 
Lovell, it must be removed — this prohibition — you 
must explain its presence away. You were mis- 
taken!" 

‘^Listen. He is an Englishman?" 

He is." 

A youth, fair-haired and comely?" 

Alas, yes! " 

He is beloved by, and loves another, who is also 
fair and beautiful — an English maiden. Have I been 
mistaken. Lady Diarrogh?" 

'' Proceed! " 

He is not entirely indifferent to your presence? " 

Oh, that it might be true! " she cried, with kindling 
eyes. 

In your heart, daughter, you know I have but 
spoken the truth. Yet be warned of me, the acquaint- 
anceship must end. Its continuance may prove fatal 
to yourself, to him, and to this young girl, to whom he 
is even now betrothed. Ah, you start! Am I then 
mistaken? No, no, I have not read in vain! " 

“ Lovell, it may not end thus. It shall not! I have 
decided to proceed — ah, yes, to the bitter end, and 
regardless of any consequences your divination may 
have in store for me ! Can you not have some better 
comfort for me than this? You have loved — mayhap 
sometime in vain — and must know the tortures your 
words are bringing to my heart! Oh, give me, then. 


no 


MY lady's banner. 


some better assurance of success than the contrariety 
suggested by this sinister mark; speak to me, Lovell! " 
Daughter, listen to me. It may not be. My heart 
beats with the deepest sympathy for you in your posi- 
tion; but this power of revelation has also my pro- 
foundest respect, and I can but display its import to you 
in all its truthfulness, and give you the warning word." 

'' Then you will not oppose me? " 

Nay, Heaven forbid! You may, and I hope will, 
command my services as heretofore, and believe me 
you shall find me ready in every way to help you." 

So let the worst befall! We shall see! For I 
care not." She turned from him with a reckless laugh, 
and gathered her cloak about her shoulders as if to 
leave him. 

Beware, daughter!" 

I care not, I tell you. Let them see to it. Good- 
night, my friend. Our next meeting will, I trust, be 
under more assured and happier auspices." 

He moved as if to detain her, but she was already 
some distance away, and he remained watching her 
receding figure with the old look of commiseration 
in his eyes, until it passed from his sight. Then, 
turning with bowed head and muttered words, he 
rejoined the expectant Breconridge at the lodge and 
was shown out of the castle grounds. 


MY lady’s banner. 


Ill 


CHAPTER XL 

""oh, EVELYN, DO YOU THINK WE"rE IN A TRAP?"^ 

Hand-in-hand together, as time out of number, and 
on happier occasions, they had wandered a-maying 
through their native meads, the conscience-stricken 
youth and the equally wretched young girl passed 
from the hall hurriedly and without word of speech. 
Instinctively they seemed to feel the necessity for 
withdrawing as far as possible from their late compan- 
ions, and with this object they proceeded to the end of 
the passage leading from the hall to the studio, and 
finding the door of the latter apartment open, and the 
room itself unlit save by the beams of the moon that 
entered the deep oriel on the outer side of the castle, 
leaving the inner portion of the vast room in compara- 
tive darkness, they entered, and, closing the door be- 
hind them, withdrew into the recess of the furthermost 
of these windows. 

From the moment young Darley felt the trembling 
little hand in his own, and noted the droop of the small 
head, with the very curls falling downward as if out of 
sympathy for her in her distress and concealing her 


II2 


MY lady’s BANNLB- 


wan cheeks, he had realized the enormity of the wrong 
he had conferred on this gentle heart, and contrition 
deep and sincere came into his own, to the utter ex- 
tinction of any illicit fires that might hitherto have 
smouldered therein. 

He would have retained her hand for some space 
longer, but she withdrew it gently from him, and 
moving a little away from the window, stood with 
downcast eyes, in the full light of the moon, the very 
presentment, as it seemed to him, of some beautiful 
and accusing spirit of the castle. 

Gradually she lifted her face to his, and, as their 
eyes met, the colour flew to her cheeks, and she broke 
silence with surprising acerbity of voice for one of 
so equable a temperament. 

‘‘Well, my lord?^’ 

“ Don't, Marion! " 

“ You deserve it, sir! I will never call you Evelyn 
again — so there! " 

“Heavens, don't say that, Marion! What have I 
done? At least, I meant to say, what have you done? " 

“Who, I, my lord? Oh " 

“ No, no, I didn't mean that — please don't go away 
— I meant, what haven't we both done? " 

“ Speak for yourself, sir! " 

“ I can't, my heart's too full, dear. Oh, Marion, you 
once told me you would never call me ‘ my lord ' or 
‘ sir ' again." 


MY lady's banner. 


II3 

Don’t make me cry, Evelyn! ” 

'' Heaven forbid, my darling! Give me your hand 
again. I will promise you not to squeeze it — if you 
will forgive me.” 

“ Nor attempt to kiss me, sir? ” 

'' Never, I swear — till you forgive me.” 

‘‘ Then you admit that you have done very wrong,” 
she said, having given him her hand with the above- 
mentioned reservations., Evelyn, I could never have 
believed it of you — never — never — never! Oh, I am 
so ashamed of you! ” 

“ Well, I must admit I have been perhaps a little 
foolish,” he stammered, hanging his head shamefacedly 
under her accusatory looks. ‘‘ Believe me, I am most 
sincerely sorry if I have hurt your feelings, Marion — 
will you — can you — forgive me? ” 

'' And you are really, and truly, very sorry, Evelyn? ” 
she enquired, tentatively, a little touched and gratified 
by his obvious sincerity. 

‘‘ You have never known me to tell you a falsehood, 
dear,” he replied, with manly directness, '' and why 
should I do so now? I will be candid with you (for 
you must know that I speak with all sincerity) and 
assure you that I would not have gone to such lengths 
had I not felt piqued at your tolerating the imperti- 
nences of her ladyship’s brother. Could you not see 
that the man was making desperate love to you? ” 
‘‘O— oh!” 


MY lady’s banner. 


II4 

‘‘ Yes, ‘ oh,’ indeed. Don’t you think a portion of the 
scolding should come from me? ” 

But I wasn’t a bit jealous! ” 

No more was I — not a bit! ” 

“ Evelyn, don’t be so cruel. You are trying to 
quarrel with me! ” 

“ Why, bless the child, what have I said now? ” 

You said you weren’t jealous! ” 

‘‘ Because you said you weren’t, why should I be in 
that case? ” 

But I felt hurt, dear.” 

Oh, well, that alters the case entirely. I admit 
that I felt hurt too. Shall we make friends now? ” 

“ And you will not make love to Lady Diarrogh ” 

‘‘Who, I?” 

“ Yes, you sir! ” 

“ And Don Domingo? ” 

“ There, my lord ” 

“ Don't call me that.” 

“ Would you not be a lord — if two cousins distant 
and remote did die. Pish, I’ll call you what I please, 
my lord.” 

“ Marion, don’t be so foolish ! Of course I will 
promise; but I think it ought to be mutual.” 

“ Evelyn, I don’t think you should impose such a 
condition on me. I have never, in all my life, been 
aught but true to you, dear, in every thought.” 

“ There — there, don’t weep, my little one! What a 


MY lady’s banner. 


II5 


stupendous brute I must have been to be sure! Come, 
lassie mine, your Evelyn promises you — swears to you 
by yon lovers’ light — to be the truest and best of boys 
to his heart’s own queen 1 ” 

With this extravagant flourish he took the reluctant 
little hands away from her streaming eyes, and pushing 
back the masses of hair from her brow, kissed her often 
and tenderly. 

You — you remember — what — you — said — when 
we stood in the fairy-ring that night in the light of the 
moon? ” she sobbed, as she twisted and untwisted his 
watch-chain as was her wont in moments of storm and 
from a remote period of their acquaintanceship. 

Yes, yes, I know, dear,” he replied a little con- 
fusedly, and shirking the tear-dimmed eyes. '' What a 
memory you have got to be sure! I think I swore 


You swore by the moon, then, to do all you have 
just promised me now — but you didn’t!” 

Quite true, my dear, and I ought to be placed with 
my back to the nearest wall and shot for it! ” 

No you oughtn’t — how dare you say such a thing, 
Evelyn! ” 

'' Well, perhaps not, dear. But I will never pledge 
myself by the moon again, or anything half so un- 
stable, while I can hold this little hand in mine and 
swear by the brave little — true little — heart that ani- 
mates it. Are we friends now? ” 


ii6 


MY lady's banner. 


Perhaps." 

Marion! " 

She had by some great effort of will repressed her 
manifestations of grief, and with both his hands held 
in hers, and at arm's length, was gazing into his eyes 
with a staidness of look so foreign to her in her deal- 
ings with him, that his lover's heart sank within him 
as before some impending stroke. 

‘'Yes, I am going to speak very seriously to you, 
Evelyn," she went on quietly and very deliberately. 
“Yet I would not wish to say anything that might 
cause you pain. Hush, you must not interrupt me! I 
have been thinking about it over and over, so hard, all 
last night, that my head ached. I thought if, perhaps, 
we — if you, dear, had decided too hastily, without 
thought of the future, and the possibility of your meet- 
ing some other whom you could like better than my- 
self, it would not yet be too late to — to turn back. I 
am not saying it lightly, Evelyn. God forbid I should 
do so wicked a thing! But I mean it. I mean it for 
your happiness. As for me, I am the same — ever, ever 
the same to you, as it was from the beginning. But, 
oh, I would be the wretchedest of women in this world 
did I know that in after years you would realize that 
your love had been wrongly bestowed, and that the ties 
of marriage were but bonds to hold you apart from, 
another! Evelyn, we are yet so young — I heard them 
call us ‘ children ' last night — and I have a present!- 


MY lady's banner. IT7 

ment that we — that you, may after all have seen things 
closely — after the manner of children, and that you will 
tire in time of the toy that has ceased to attract your 
older eyes. Let me not stand in your way — to be the 
miserable cause of your future reproaches. I will re- 
turn to my father to-morrow, leaving you here, and ex- 
plain to him that it was my wish. I will give him no 
reason to feel embittered towards you, rest assured of 
that; for on my head alone shall lie all the blame for 
this step. And I will be so brave, so quiet, for your 
sake, Evelyn. Consider, dear, and tell me would it 
not be better for you — for — for — us both?" 

The earnestness with which the words were uttered, 
and the tender seriousness of look that had endowed 
her child-features with something proximating to the 
matronly, had communicated a corresponding sense of 
sobriety to the light-hearted youth — generally so 
prone to meet her young enthusiasms with an air of 
easy patronage. 

And would you have me do this on the supposi- 
tion that it would conduce to my happiness alone, 
Mabs?" he said, as he drew her half-resisting form 
nearer and nearer to him until the great soft eyes and 
every feature of the young sweet face were clearly re- 
vealed in the weird cold light that shone in upon them. 

Evelyn, I would — try me ! " 

‘‘ And you would uncomplainingly abide by my 
decision to remain here, and blot me for ever out of 
your memory? " 


Il8 MY lady’s banner. 

“ Never out of my memory, Evelyn, because you 
would always be in my thoughts — prompted as they 
would be by my heart. I could not do that — I did 
not say that. But I would undergo the ordeal of ban- 
ishment from you, my love, to consult your happiness 
— ay, even though in the end that poor heart should of 
its great sorrow for ever cease to throb! I can say 
no more! ” 

She had turned her face from him to the window, 
and, trembling from head to foot, her hand still clasped 
in his, was gazing out over the whited elms into the 
starry deeps beyond. 

Marion! ” 

He was on his knee close to her side, and looking up 
at her with the expression one may have witnessed 
when, in critical moments such as this, the adolescent 
face is changed by a newer and stronger passion into 
that of matured experience. 

She turned toMiim again on hearing her name 
breathed in tones wherein supplication, deep contrition, 
and tender reproach were so strangely commingled, 
and laying her disengaged hand on his head, she 
pushed it gently backward until the face lay fully re- 
vealed to her in the mellow light of the moon. Long 
did she gaze into his eyes and essay to read their true 
drift, the while the little white fingers played amidst 
his curls — and throughout the ordeal he watched her 
as one who might await in breathless suspense the 


MY lady's banner. 


II9 

pronouncement of^ recording angel — and then with 
a bright smile of unconditional pardon, she pressed 
the truant head to her side, and patted it gently and 
reassuringly. 

There, you may rise — you naughty boy; for I have 
- forgiven you, and we are friends once more." 

For ever now, Mabs?" 

For ever and ever, dear — may God will that it be 
so!" 

And we will go home — won't we, Mabs? " 

At once, Evelyn — to-night, if we might. To-mor- 
row for a certainty. I have so much to tell you since 
I last had an opportunity of speaking to you. Do you 
know I have seen the chaplain of the castle — dear 
old Father Benito — and he has counselled me, under 
seal of secrecy, to leave this place without delay! " 

'' But, gracious Heavens! what have we done?" he 
exclaimed, aghast at the suddenness of the proposi- 
tion. 

It is not that, dear — it is not altogether anything 
that we may have said or done. Can you not see? 
Oh, Evelyn, are you so very very blind as all that? " 
‘'Not that I am aware of, Mabs!" exclaimed the 
astonished youth, interpreting her literally, and rub- 
bing his eyes vigorously. “ There you stand before 
me in the gentle moonlight, like the pretty little sprite 
you ever were — in every particular respect. What is 
it, then?" 


120 


MY lady’s banner. 


“ Now, Evelyn, I must really give you credit for 
being a bigger stupid than you have always affected 
to be. Surely you must see — must know — that Lady 
Diarrogh likes you, my poor boy; and that — that 
perhaps she may like you very much ! ” 

This was bringing matters home again to the young 
recreant with a vengeance, and he stood before her 
with bent head to conceal the crimson that had 
leaped into his cheeks and suffused his face. 

She seemed to pity his very obvious distress, and 
resumed, Then there is her ladyship’s brother, Don 
Domingo ” 

‘‘ Well, what of him? ” he suddenly broke in with a 
fierceness that shocked her not a little. Has he 
dared ” 

Don’t, Evelyn dear! You must keep your temper, 
remember, or you will ruin all ! ” 

'' But, confound the fellow; look here, Marion, you 
don’t mean to say ” 

‘‘ He has conducted himself towards me in every 
respect as a gentleman should, Evelyn, and I would 
not have you quarrel with him on my account for 
worlds — unless,” and she held up a little forefinger 
at him in the most truculent manner, '' you would 

wish me to call you ‘ my 1 ’ ” 

Heaven forbid ! I will be mute on the point, if 
it be your wish. But I understand the inference, 
nevertheless, and can see that his room would be 


MY lady's banner. 


I2I 


infinitely more preferable to you than his company. 
Is it not so? ” 

‘‘You won’t quarrel with him, will you, Evelyn?” 
she entreated. “ Perhaps, after all, it was my fault. 
But we must go — we must go to-morrow,” she added, 
with a sudden access of alarm. “ Otherwise I feel 
that something terrible may happen. Is it not strange 
that we should not have heard from home? You 
know we asked for replies by return of post, and we 
have been here now for two whole days ! Oh, Evelyn, 
do you think ” 

“ I am beginning to think that we have got into a 
trap,” he muttered to himself, as he turned away and 
started to pace the floor before her, in unconscious 
imitation of certain animals in a similar predicament. 
At this moment a mist seemed to roll away from his 
mental vision, and he began to piece together several 
incidents tending to confirm his suspicions as to an 
enforced stay, although its ulterior motive was as yet 
a puzzle which no effort of imagination would enable 
him to solve. He recalled to mind the wanton 
destruction of the machines, and that on two subse- 
quent occasions, when he had desired to stroll over 
to the village, he had been unable to do so owing to 
the unaccountable absence of the warder, Breconridge. 
Then there remained the uncomfortable fact that the 
castle was being used for the purpose of a conspiracy, 
which might in some way involve them — which might. 


122 


MY lady’s banner. 


for aught he knew to the contrary, have some bearing 
on this very restriction of liberty. It was an uncom- 
fortable awakening after so long a period of unalloyed 
happiness, and but for a natural sentiment of revolt 
against so intolerable a condition of affairs, and a 
sense of his own responsibility towards this helpless 
young girl — apart from the spirit of derring-do to 
which he had responded with all the fervour of an 
ardent, boyish, and romantic temperament — he would 
of a certainty have been prone to give way to his 
feelings in angry terms of self-reproach. 

He had realized the necessity for concealing his 
apprehensions from his cousin, and, above all, to make 
no mention of the cycle incident, or of the political 
transactions that were being carried out within the 
castle. To quiet her alarms was the first object to be 
attained — the second, to see Lady Diarrogh immedi- 
ately with a view of bringing their visit to a termina- 
tion. 

Come, Marion,” said he, with a well - assumed 
lightness of manner, as he took her hand and drew her 
towards the door. Matters may not be so bad as we 
have imagined them to be. Recollect that after all we 
are in old England now, and that if our homes are 
castles the same law would prevent their becoming 
prisons. Come, let us return to the drawing-room, 
where I will seek an opportunity of speaking to Lady 
Diarrogh on the subject of our departure to-morrow.” 


MY LADY S BANNER. 


123 


A slight exclamation of alarm from the young girl, 
as she instinctively drew closer to him, caused him to 
look up suddenly, and there, but a few paces from them, 
her tall figure in shadowy outline, with the dazzling 
white bust and arms in soft relief, stood the subject of 
their alarms — Rufina del Montefuego — gazing upon 
them with the old malign expression, which had so fas- 
cinated the youth in her portrait. 


124 


MY lady’s banner, 


CHAPTER XII. 

THE BLIND FURY OF A GREAT PASSION. 

“Ah! you were returning to us then, truants,” said 
Lady Diarrogh, who was the first of the group to 
break the painful silence that supervened, her face now 
completely divested of its hard look by the most ravish- 
ing of smiles, as she sank with exquisite grace of aban- 
don upon a seat within the windowed recess. “ Nay, 
do not go away, I pray of you, for I expect that my 
brother will join us shortly for a stroll through the 
grounds, and this half light is so charmingly romantic, 
is it not? So, here he comes! Adelante — come in, my 
worthy brother, for I have found them at last — these 
runaways. Come, I will ring for wraps, and we will 
go out on the terrace! ” 

“ But, sister! ” protested the Spaniard, as his tall 
form emerged into the light and foregathered with 
them. “ I have been sent by especial request to ask 
Miss Wilton to come and sing for us! ” 

“ Now, Senor, my brother, you must not thus dis- 
appoint me! ” pouted the beauty, shrugging her shapely 
shoulders pettishly. “ I have set my heart upon taking 


MY LADY'S BANNER. 


125 


the air. The rooms are so warm. Surely, Mr. Darley, 
you will intercede for me, and permit your cousin to 
return to the drawing-room with my brother? ’’ 

'' But Lady Diarrogh — Evelyn, I could not sing! 
exclaimed the distressed little damosel, appealingly. 

Don Domingo, you must hold me excused. I really 
could not! Evelyn, speak to them for me!’’ she 
implored in an undertone. I should only break down 
— and — and cry instead; I know I should! ” 

There, my dear,” said the latter, laughingly, as he 
pressed her hand to reassure her. You will not be 
asked to sing; for Don Domingo, I am sure, would not 
be so ungallant as to refuse Miss Wilton’s request so 
strenuously urged.” 

‘‘ Carambay no, Sehorita,” exclaimed the Spaniard, 
with much fervour, as he bent his tall figure in stately 
salute. '' But the Senorita Wilton will accompany me, 
nevertheless, to the drawing-room to witness the Bo- 
lero Nacional, which it is the intention of my good 
friend, Don Fabricio, and Senorita Mercedes to dance 
for our delectation. Will she not, Don Evelyn? ” 

‘‘ By all means,” acquiesced the youth on her be- 
half, and then hurriedly whispered to her as she still 
held his hand as though reluctant to leave him, ‘‘ Go 
with him, Mabs — it is my opportunity — leave all to 
me. 

The light was full upon his face as he spoke, and 
reassured by the look of set determination she saw 


126 


MY lady’s banner. 


thereon she gave her arm to del Montefuego, and left 
the room v^ith him. 

Now, Lady Diarrogh, I am entirely at your serv- 
ice.” 

She had been sitting with her face to the window 
with affected indifference to their conversation; but 
now as her quick ear detected the change in his voice 
and manner, she turned abruptly towards him with 
some appearance of uneasiness. 

In an instant she seemed to have divined the reason 
of this change, and to have resolved upon some line 
of action accordingly. 

What say you if we remain here, Evelyn? ” she 
enquired, with all the artlessness of a spoilt child in 
the soft tone of her voice, and the entreaty of the 
dark languorous eyes. “ It is so much more cosy, and 
we shall have less risk of being disturbed. How say 
you, then, will you sit by me here? ” 

‘‘ With all happiness. Lady Diarrogh ” 

“Whom are you addressing yourself to, Evelyn?” 
she flashed at him with a naive smile. “ I know not 
such a person here.” 

“ To you. Lady ” 

“ Ye— es?” 

The occult powers of those unfathomable eyes ap- 
peared to have done their work only too well. 

“ Rufina.” 

“ Come, come, that is so very much better. You 


MY LADY S BANNER. 


127 


rude boy, I had really begun to imagine that I had in 
some way offended you. Tell me now, truly, was it 
not your intention before I arrived to acquaint me of 
your determination to leave me — yes? ’’ 

Her candour was, to say the least, embarrassing. 
Thrown off his guard by the boldness of the attack 
he was left without a word to say in his defence. 

It was. Lady — I mean, Rufina.’' 

''And why?” she persisted, with the smile still on 
her lips, as she bent slightly to catch his eyes and en- 
chain his attention — her strongest point of assault. 

" Miss Wilton is alarmed at not hearing from her 
father, and would hasten home at once to learn the 
cause.” 

Coward, coward ! ' The woman gave me of the tree 

and I did eat.’ Will it be ever thus? 

She made haste to follow up her success and fortify 
the position already gained. 

" And why may she not go? There is nothing to 
prevent that — no.” 

" No; nothing. She would leave to-morrow morn- 
ing.” 

"Assuredly! And you, Evelyn?” 

He looked at her shyly with the old sense of awe; 
for, despite his utmost endeavours to resist the alluring 
charms of her magnetic personality, he felt that in this 
game of love she was more than his master, and that 
away from his cousin’s side he was absolutely at her 


128 


MY lady's banner. 


feet. Poor moth! was there then no friendly power 
near by to place thee without the beams of this all- 
devouring light? 

Yes, hark! It is her voice — Marion's; coming from 
afar off, and faintly upon his ears. Could it be fancy, 
or was it to be believed that she had overcome her 
diffidence in her concern for him, and that the sweet 
theme — his favorite one — was being poured forth from 
the depths of that pure heart in the vague hope that it 
might reach his ears, and fortify him in his hour of 
peril. To him the simple melody, bringing in with it 
the very atmosphere of the summer meads and mavis- 
haunted groves of her Somersetshire home, had never 
appealed as it did then with so tender a charm. The 
distance was too far for him to catch the words, but 
they were familiar enough to him from a very early 
period, and he had no difficulty in wedding them to the 
music. 


I dreamed overnight of my westward home 
And childhood time ere I ^gan roam. 

With meadow-moth and painted bee 
I wantoned on the nectared lea: 

Tall yellow-cup and daisie dear 
Were there, anew, to greet the year: 

Again, I plucked the cowslip pale. 

And wandered in the primrose vale: 

With daffodil that, dancing, grew. 

With violet buds, and bells so blue, 

I posies made. 


MY lady's banner. 


129 


The mavis, midst the hawthorn bloom, 

Beguiled my ghost from its far tomb: 

Now cuckoo called, and Philomel, 

His plaint did make on hill, in dell. 

Anon I saw my dear love’s home — . 

From open door a form did come — 

O dear, my love, no more thy call 
My wakened sense may now enthral! 

Came sudden day — a strange tongue spoke — 

My heaven dissolved, and I — awoke! 

How far away! 

When the last note of the refrain had faded and 
ceased, leaving naught behind it but the sound of his 
own beating heart — beating now in wild response to 
the appeal of some better spirit that had crept into it, 
God knows of her sending — he had by a supreme and 
lasting effort of will shaken himself entirely free from 
the bondage of the fair tyrant beside him, let her plead 
her cause never so boldly. 

His companion, who had remained silent during the 
progress of the song, to all appearance touched in spite 
of herself by its native simplicity of charm, but still 
with her eyes riveted upon him as though she were 
endeavouring to hold him to her by the spell which the 
sound of his cousin's voice might at any moment snap, 
now ventured again to address him, and, as she did so, 
he was surprised to perceive that her eyes were moist- 
ened with tears. 

Evelyn," she began — and there was the trace of 
almost a sob in the low, soft voice that breathed so 


130 


MY lady's banner. 


close to him now — ''you have not replied to me: 
to my question. I did presume to enquire if Miss 
Wilton’s departure would alter your resolve to remain 
here — with me, Evelyn? Nay, nay,” she added in 
sudden alarm, and with a slight shiver as she noticed 
his changed aspect, and was fearful of his reply, " say 
it not — do not speak — until I have spoken; for you 
know not, you can not know, how momentous the 
consequences of that reply would be to me — to us 
both.” 

The hot red blood was in her cheeks now as she 
pushed the clustering black locks off her brow with 
the vague movement of a fevered patient. Yet, ever 
holding him with her eyes while she hastily revolved 
in her mind how she might best state her case to him 
without incurring the repulse she so feared, she 
gradually reverted to her usual condition of self- 
control, nay, almost of command, as she took both 
his hands in hers and looked him squarely in the 
face. 

" Listen to me, Evelyn, until I unfold to you what 
has been upon my mind, and has left me, neither by 
day nor by night, awake or in my dreams, to one hour 
of perfect happiness!” 

" Indeed, Lady Diarrogh, I am very, very sorry,” he 
stammered, divining her meaning at length, pitying 
her distress, yet adamant withal in the cause of his fair 


cousin. 


MY lady's banner. 


131 

So you will call me by that name ! Bueno, let it be 
so, then. Possibly I am to blame, possibly it is the 
Fates — possibly you." 

‘‘How, I?" 

“ I will speak to you very frankly, Evelyn; as one 
who is older than you by several years; as an elder sis- 
ter to a brother dearly beloved ; and as it is the custom 
of a country where a frank avowal of a passion that 
devours is the privilege of our sex, and may not be 
outside a maiden's province. Listen, then, mi rubiosito, 
my fair-haired one," she went on, as she passed her 
hand caressingly through his curls, and smiled ten- 
derly upon him. “ Listen, and I will tell you this tale 
(the burden of which is more than I can bear) in the 
hope that I may gain your sympathies, querido mio, 
over to my side." 

In his embarrassment, which was not unqualified 
perhaps by a sense of self-shame at a result to which 
he had in a measure wilfully contributed, he would 
fain have risen, and thus ended a scene that had 
now become as painful to him as, alas! from an op- 
posite point of view, it was equally disturbing to the 
proud suppliant beside him. But she was not to be 
gainsaid, as, still holding his hands in hers, her eyes 
endeavouring to read the passing effect of her words, 
and speaking in hurried sentences that were fast get- 
ting beyond her control in the storm of passion that 
goaded them, she went on — 


132 


MY LADY^S BANNER. 


Come thou nearer to me, Evelyn — you are not 
afraid? I am but a woman! Nay — your hand again; 
for have we not been of the firmest friends hitherto? 
It is this then, mi rubio — an old-world tale, 'tis true; but 
one, nevertheless, that repeats itself in these days of 
invidious love and false chivalry until the moral be- 
comes irresistible — alas! to the few. Tell me, then, 
would it not surprise you to hear that our meeting at 
Tarnworth was not unforeseen by me — that, of a ver- 
ity, it was already foretold to me while yet my lord was 
alive? 

Her conviction of manner was so manifest to him 
that he could only sit and stare at her in blank amaze- 
ment at so unexpected an announcement. 

'' You are indeed amazed — possibly you are in- 
credulous — as I in my simplicity was unbelieving at 
the time I was apprised of it. Yet has it thus far 
been truly fulfilled — this prophecy, as T devoutly hope 
it may in all other respects. Evelyn, it was further 
revealed to me that we should become very dear 
friends,'^ she continued, and improvising for the occa- 
sion on the original divination as laid down by the 
gipsy Lovell. '' Tell me, has not this happy consum- 
mation been also achieved? ’’ 

Your informant must have been possessed of rare 
powers of prophecy,'’ he replied to her with frank 
directness as his interest in her words deepened, ‘‘ for 
are we not already — at least I trust so, and speaking 


MY lady's banner* 


133 


for myself — the best of friends. You received us into 
your castle as complete strangers, and have treated us 
ever since with extreme kindness. For this I am more 
than grateful." 

She greeted the avowal with a tremulous sigh of the 
deepest disappointment, and sat silently watching him 
as his eyes wandered away to the door in the vain hope 
that the entry of some person might serve to break off a 
conversation that was, to him, verging dangerously on 
the intolerable. 

When, after an interval of some seconds, he turned 
to her again, it was with an exclamation of surprise; 
and then consternation and shame suddenly set his 
cheeks aglow and his heart throbbing fiercely within 
him. For she had sunk quietly down on her knees 
beside him — this arrogant, self-willed, and imperious 
beauty, whose very loveliness was chastened and 
heightened thereby — and with his hands tightly 
clasped in hers, was looking up wildly, entreatingly in- 
to his face. 

Evelyn, it is the privilege — the privilege of love, to 
declare itself when the heart may break of its unbear- 
able secret. You have spoken to me in the words of 
love — you have led me to believe that it was in your 
heart — that the heart of woman was no light thing to 
be trifled with and cast for ever aside. You, who have 
done this thing of grace, knowing as you must have 
done — for I yet spoke not the word, fearing you would 


^34 


MY lady’s banner. 


deem me immodest — you, I repeat, must have known 
that your words, sentiments, sympathies, your very 
presence, had become part of my being, and that 
without their continuance I should even cease to exist. 
You, I say, who have done this knowingly, must listen 
to me now with the same openness of heart — with 
kindness — with mercy — ay, even to me — at your feet — 
in abject supplication, when I declare to you in words 
emphatic, truly sincere, and from the depths of a tor- 
tured soul — oh, Madre de Dios! intercede for me! — 
that I love you! No, no, no, you must not — you 
shall not rise until you have heard me, nor shall you 
repulse me from you; or, before the great God who has 
all our acts and intents in His vigils, I do solemnly 
declare that I will hurl myself bodily from this window 
into the moat beneath, and the deed shall be laid to 
your charge. Evelyn, whom I love — be kind to me — • 
listen to me — nay, you shall not go. How say you — 
your cousin? And do you then really think that the 
baby love of this feather-brained girl is for one moment 
to be weighed against the life’s devotion of Rufina del 
Montefuego — who of her great regard would endow 
you with all she possesses on earth, and be content — be 
happy — to remain for ever at your feet your willing, 
loving slave? Yes, I will restrain myself — I will be 
calmer. You have right — I would that the tears would 
come! — you pity me — you say you like me! But that 
is naught to me. I would have your love, my charming 


MY lady’s banner. 


135 


— I would have you tell this cousin that she is at liberty 
to depart at her option, but that you will remain with 
me here and be my love. She is young — a child, and 
capricious, and if I may know the thoughts of woman, 
will receive the notification with equanimity. How — 
you can not — you may not do this? Then must you be 
informed of the truths — that she loves — that she is be- 
loved by — my brother; and that you, my poor boy, 
have been basely betrayed! ’’ 

In the blind fury of her great passion she had over- 
stepped her usual caution, and entering upon ground 
that was hallowed in his eyes now, had jeopardised her 
cause beyond retrieval. 

He had risen to his feet — dismayed, perplexed, yet 
thoroughly aroused to the seriousness of his position, 
and, if truth were told, not a little incensed with her for 
this insinuation, this calumny, on the fair name of one 
whose integrity he was prepared to uphold against any 
and every comer who might dare to challenge it. 

What he said to her in reply to her passionate 
harangue it would scarcely be within our province to 
relate at length. A response, off-hand, and in the 
negative, to so eloquent an appeal, would, of a ne- 
cessity, be as painful in the reading as the effort at 
voicing it was assuredly — let us say embarrassing to 
this mere boy, fresh to a position seldom vouchsafed 
even to the most successful of his elders. Yet, as he 
proceeded with his self-imposed task, and warmed to it 


136 MY lady's banner. 

under a stern sense of its inevitableness, the words 
came forth with unwonted, if to her pitiless, directness, 
as she stood before him in the almost noonday light — 
amazed at his temerity, his audacity in thus repelling 
her, and with but a vestige of the soft love-light now 
appearing in her wrath-enkindled eyes. But in the 
wildest transports of a baffled regard the iron vffll of 
this remarkable woman came to her aid, and, for the 
moment at least, saved the occasion. She knew, for the 
first time, and probably liked him the better for it, 
that if an element of dare " were brought into the 
contest, here, at last, she had met with one who would 
have no fear for any consequences; and as he had 
deigned to overlook her aspersions on his cousin, and 
had ended his remarks with a profession of friendship 
and a solemn assurance that the incident would never, 
on his side, be divulged, she had seen, with returning 
reason, that it would be dangerous in the extreme to 
urge him further, lest by a false step in her then half- 
reckless state she might convert his suspicions into 
alarm, and thereby precipitate a disaster she yet sought 
to avert. 

Come," she said, with a set expression of face that 
would have wakened his direst apprehensions had it 
not been turned from the light, we will talk no more 
of this, Senor Darley. It is of the past. If you must 
depart from us to-morrow, you will at least confer 
on me the honour of remaining at my side for the 


MY LADY^S BANNER. 


137 

rest of the evening. Come, let us rejoin the others/’ 
And with her arm in his, proudly erect, and with 
a look of indomitable resolve in her flashing eyes, she 
quitted the room with him. 


138 


MY lady's banner. 


CHAPTER XIIL 

‘‘the honour of becoming this traitor's 

EXECUTIONER." 

There are times, it may have been noted, when the 
very elements, as if in malign sympathy with our dis- 
asters, have seemed to pause in their mutable riot to 
lend their attentions and aids to the general havoc; 
and it was on such a morning as this (following upon 
the events last narrated) that the light broke in tardily, 
and of an ashen, wintry gray, upon the feast-tired eyes 
of waking Tarnworth. A dark pall of thunderclouds 
had foregathered during the night with many a baleful 
gleam and reverberant muttering, and now hung above 
the castle tops in the revealed majesty of their far- 
reaching battalions, massed and threatening, and in 
every conceivable stage of involution. 

Within the castle itself there were not a few signs 
to indicate that events of an unusual character were 
about to transpire. Don Domingo del Montefuego 
had been closeted with his sister in her boudoir from an 
early hour in the morning; and on leaving her, which 
he did with some haste, and an assumption of austerity 


MY lady's banner. 


139 


that boded ill for the object of his reflections, he 
immediately sent for the eldest of the conspirators, 
the venerable Don Saturnino, and besought him to 
meet him with the others, without a moment's delay, 
in the West Tower — their usual trysting place. 

In a small vaulted chamber, originally a prison cell, 
in this tower, the adherents of the exiled prince were 
now sitting in solemn conclave. At the head of the 
table, with Don Urbano and Don Fabricio on his right 
and left, sat del Montefuego, and facing him Don 
Saturnino, in his position of vice-president, with Diego 
Suarez and Don Francisco on either side of him. The 
artist, who had been engaged in animated conversation 
with the remaining two conspirators, Don Adriano and 
Santiago, seemed, nevertheless, far from being at his 
ease; and as he glanced from president to vice-presi- 
dent from time to time, as they leisurely produced and 
proceeded to assort some papers relative to the busi- 
ness on hand, the pallor on his emaciated cheeks in- 
creased, and his eyes had the affrighted look of one 
who has the presentiment of death itself within their 
vision. 

This nervous tension, which was already beginning 
to communicate itself to the others, was at length re- 
lieved by the president, del Montefuego, who, arising 
from his seat and in tones of solemn and portentous 
gravity, heightened by the florid and grandiloquent 
periods of a courtly idiom, addressed them as fol- 
lows : — 


140 


MY lady's banner. 


Senores and caballeroSy my very estimable com- 
rades, and faithful servitors of the King! You have 
been summoned here at this early hour, I trust not 
with indecorous haste, at the request of my much-es- 
teemed sister, the Dona Rufina, in order that you may 
be made acquainted with the expressed desire of el 
Senor Diego Suarez, as conveyed to her last evening, 
to return to his house and avocations in our city of 
Burgos. Senores, it is the intention of el Senor 
Suarez, as explained to me in person, to continue in the 

interests of a cause which he professes " 

With every sentiment of the profoundest respect, 
Senor el Presidente," exclaimed the latter, starting to 
his feet in obvious alarm, but you have misinter- 
preted me. I said not ‘ professed.’ I did solemnly 
avow that the cause would remain of my heart, as it 
has hitherto ever been manifested to you! ” 

Which he professes to have so much at heart,” 
continued Don Domingo in icy tones, and motioning 
the unfortunate artist to his seat. He has, moreover, 
Caballeros — this Senor Suarez — tendered his good of- 
fices to utilize his departure by conveying our latest 
informations to His Majesty, with whom, as you are 
aware, he has already had audience; and, further, that 
he will be prepared to keep us informed, from time to 
time, as to the development of affairs in ministerial 
circles. Have I right, Senor, in thus conveying your 
sentiments to these Caballeros, your confidants and 
friends?” 


MY lady's banner. 


141 

Ciertamente, Senor el presidente. It is a pleas- 
ure unspeakable to me to be thus truthfully con- 
strued! " 

'' It remains then, Senores, having heard this our 
comrade's protestations of unswerving loyalty to His 
Majesty, to lend our sanction to his immediate de- 
parture, and to wish him God-speed in his ventures. 
And yet, Senores," he added, with a stern melancholy 
that positively set the traitor's teeth a-chattering with 
fear, though I protest before Heaven that the task 
is one of supreme pain to me as a compatriot of el 
Senor Suarez, I am nevertheless constrained to unfold 
to you certain particulars which have lately come to the 
knowledge of my lady and myself, which should com- 
pel your severest scrutiny before that permission may 
be extended to him ! Senor Suarez, I demand of you 
to inform these caballeroSy your intimate friends and 
comrades in arms, if the caligraphy upon this letter 
addressed to the council in Madrid is yours? " 

He handed the paper to Don Fabricio, who, with a 
muttered oath, and an expression of extreme anger on 
his pale, ascetic features, held it across the table before 
the starting eyes of the terror-stricken painter. 

No — no — no!" cried the latter wildly, as he 
endeavoured to regain his tottering legs, and would 
have snatched the document from Don Fabricio's 
grasp, had the latter not anticipated him. I know 
not the writing! It is a forgery! For Dios! Senores, 


142 


MY lady’s banner. 


listen to me before you condemn me! I declare to 
you that I am innocent of this infamy! ” 

'' Sehores,” continued Don Domingo, with the 
inexorableness of fate, as the letter went around the 
table, and having been perused with angry exclaim, 
was returned to him again by del Monte, I will ask 
you if, in your opinion, and of your knowledge of this 
man’s handwriting, you are sufficiently convinced that 
this betrayal is the work of el Sehor Suarez — and he 
alone? ” 

There remains not the least scintilla of doubt in 
our minds as to its genuineness, Sehor el Presidente,” 
replied the aged Don Saturnino on behalf of the others. 
'' Possibly he will not now deny it? ” 

repeat that it is the basest of forgeries!” pro- 
tested the culprit with a new courage of desperation, as 
he stood with folded arms and pallid lips confronting 
his implacable accuser. I demand to know from 
whence this paper has been derived? I tell you to your 
face, Sehor el Presidente, that this feigned message is 
the work of an enemy, and that I would be confronted 
with its bearer, in order that I may question him as 
to its genuineness. Caballeros^ I appeal to you for a 
fairer hearing! ” 

With all my heart,” observed del Montefuego, with 
a contemptuous glance at the miserable delinquent, as 
he resumed his seat and clapped his hands thrice to- 
gether. 


MY lady’s banner. 


143 


At the summons the door opened, and Breconridge, 
the major-domo, entered. 

You will be so good as to signify to these gentle- 
men, Breconridge, whether you were in attendance at 
the lodge yesterday at the hour of noon. Am I right 
in my conjecture that you were there ? ” 

The mute nodded his head at the assembled com- 
pany in vigorous assent. 

‘‘ Imm.ediately omthe departure of the postman from 
the gates you were visited by a gentleman of this 
assembly — were you not?” 

Again did the stalwart major-domo signal the cor- 
rectness of the surmise to his imperturbable questioner 
— and the artist quietly resumed his seat. 

“ Have, then, the extreme goodness to indicate this 
gentleman to myself and friends.” 

With his eyes already fixed upon the cowering Don 
Diego, the major-domo pointed him out without the 
least hesitation of manner; and then, as if to dispel 
any doubts there might be in the minds of the com- 
pany as to whom he would refer, he advanced to the 
table, and laid his powerful hand on Senor Suarez’s 
shoulder. 

Good! It is most evident to us! You may now 
retire — stay! You will send in this messenger to us, 
for I would question him also.” 

When, again, they glanced towards the door the 
major-domo had disappeared, and in his place the tall 


144 


MY lady's banner. 


figure of the gipsy Lovell stood before them in 
respectful salutation. On seeing him the accused, 
with an exclamation of dismay, sank back into his chair 
in a condition of utter collapse. 

^‘You live in the proximity of the castle walls, 
Lovell, and are known to myself and my sister and 
most of these gentlemen here for your integrity in our 
affairs, and more especially for your tact in forwarding 
and "receiving those documents which it may not be 
considered advisable to transmit through the village 
office. Be pleased, then, to receive the assurance of 
our continued confidence in this integrity, and — arising 
out of these matters political — deign to inform these 
gentlemen how you became possessed of a particular 
despatch handed by you to my lady last evening." 

'' The letter, attached to a stone, was thrown over 
the boundary walls — almost into my hands — at midday 
yesterday, and shortly before the departure of the 
postman from the castle gates," replied the gipsy, 
with a calm deliberateness of manner that froze the 
very life-blood in the renegade's veins, as he bent 
forward to catch his reply. I considered it my duty 
to return it from whence it came, and did so — plac- 
ing it in her ladyship's hands." 

A murmur of sympathetic approval went up from the 
assembled conspirators as the president proceeded to 
convey their thanks to him for this timely forethought 
— 2L demonstration of gratitude that was further em- 


MY lady’s BANNER- 


145 


phasised by the entire company, with the exception 
of Don Diego, rising to their feet and bending to the 
gipsy in gracious salute as he turned and left the 
room. 

'' You will retire immediately to the ante-chamber, 
Sehor,” observed Don Domingo sternly to the 
wretched Suarez, who had given way to profound de- 
spair, and sat with his head buried in his hands over 
the table. ‘‘ You will there find the major-domo Brec- 
onridge in attendance, and you will return forthwith to 
the council chamber upon hearing my summons. 
Come, Senor — despatch! We would be relieved of 
your presence.” 

The prisoner, for he knew he had now forfeited his 
liberty of person, if not his life, raised his head slowly 
from the table, and, looking appealingly at the pitiless 
faces about him, tottered to his feet, and moved de- 
jectedly from the room. 

When the door had closed upon him the president 
again rose, and proceeded in quiet tones, rendered all 
the more impressive by the calculative coldness per- 
vading them — 

‘‘ The punishment, Senores, for so heinous a crime 
as that of which this individuo has been found guilty, 
for I would but take up your time needlessly to further 
discuss so idle a theme, is one of death, pure and 
simple! ” 

'' Santa Maria! ” cried the fiery young Don Ur- 


146 


MY lady's banner. 


bano, drawing a revolver from under his mantle and 
laying it on the table before him, but he richly merits 
at first the ordeal of torture, to wrest some further in- 
formation from his perfidious lips! Senor el Presi- 
dente, vouchsafe to me the honour of becoming this 
traitor's executioner? " 

'‘Your zeal, Senor Urbano," replied the president, 
with a grave smile, " deserves a better recognition at 
my hands than it will be possible for me to extend to 
you, heartily as I am with you in your professed senti- 
ments of abhorrence! For, alas! Sehores," he added 
generally, as he noted the surprise with which the an- 
nouncement had been received, " we must not remain 
oblivious to the fact that the judiciary of this country 
is not disposed to sanction methods of intimidation 
and repression which in our Spain, and especially 
among our comrades, would meet with tolerance, if not 
approbation. No, Sehores, we must, however reluc- 
tantly, dismiss this death penalty for the present from 
our minds until we have communicated the intelligence 
to our friends, in order that their dispositions may be 
altered, and that this traitor may be committed to their 
care on his arrival at Burgos. For the present, then, 
and with your approval, the sentence is that the pris- 
oner, this Senor Suarez, be confined to the apartments 
allotted to him within the castle during my lady's pleas- 
ure, and that any attempt on his part to proceed be- 
yond the limits of the courtyard will be at the immedi- 


MY lady's banner. 


147 


ate peril of his life. Bueno! your hands, then, Sehores, 
are upheld in favour of this last course. Let the pris- 
oner be brought in! " 

When the latter, attended by Breconridge, again 
stood before them, the president, upstanding, and in 
measured terms of bitter contempt and reproach, pro- 
ceeded to convey to him the unqualified opinion of his 
late comrades, and finally to intimate to him in the 
tersest manner possible the decision of the council. 

As he moved to leave the room the enraged Don 
Urbano, with an uncontrollable impulse, leaped from 
his place at the table and smote the prisoner upon the 
face with his clenched hand. 

‘‘ Dog, you shall answer for this treason with the 
blood of your coward heart! For I declare to you by 
the cross that I will pursue you, ay, even to your Bur- 
gos kennel with that sole object." 

‘‘ Hah! then you dare not here, Senor! " retorted the 
other with a sneer, as he wiped the trickling blood from 
his cheek. Bueno, you shall know where to find me. 
Senores, mi estimados amigos! with renewed assurances 
of my most exalted regards, adios ! " 

With a mock bow to the council, and a look of un- 
quenchable hatred in his sloe-black eyes, the painter, 
accompanied by Breconridge, departed, and the con- 
spirators, breaking up into several groups, went out 
after them into the oppressive and storm-boding at- 
Aiosphere of the inner court. 


148 


MY lady’s banner. 


CHAPTER XIV. 

AN Englishman’s fight for his sweetheart’s 

FREEDOM. 

In the meantime events, no less dramatic, were in 
course of development within the castle itself. The 
young Darley, after passing a night of feverish unrest, 
had risen with the first indications of dawn, and hav- 
ing assumed the cycling costume in which he had ar- 
rived, had betaken himself along the deserted corridors 
to the door of his cousin’s chamber, where, true to an 
arrangement hurriedly made between them before 
parting on the previous night, he found her in waiting 
— as resolute of demeanour as himself, and fully 
dressed for their intended journey that morning to 
Bristol. 

‘‘ Come along, Mabs,” he whispered, as he affection- 
ately greeted her, you have nothing to fear now, for 
I bade Lady Diarrogh farewell last night, and, to avoid 
unnecessary comment and delay, asked her to explain 
our sudden departure to her brother and the others on 
the plea of our not having heard from home. She was 
graciousness itself — for, after all, my dear, she is not 


MY lady’s banner. 


149 


at all a bad sort, and appeared pleased when I thanked 
her for self and you, Mabs, for the hospitality with 
which she had entertained us. And you did as I asked 
you to do, my brave little woman? ” 

Yes, Evelyn dear. I said good-bye to her when I 
wished her good-night, and told her that it was your 
desire that we should leave here very early in the morn- 
ing in order that we might reach home before night- 
fall. But I fancy — I don’t know — oh, Evelyn, you will 
think me very foolish ! but I thought there was a look 
in “her eyes as she graciously listened to my excuses, 
and accepted them, that was not in keeping with her 
smiles and her professions of regret — a look that you 
will see in the eyes of people who are dissatisfied, cruel, 
and — and, in fact, who have already made up their 
minds to do you a hurt. Yes, dear, I will come at 
once — see, I am quite ready! That stairs to the left, 
with the carved lions on the balusters (for I marked it 
last night), will take us into the lower corridor leading 
to the postern door through which you came on our 
arrival. Softly, softly, Evelyn, I can hear footsteps 
below! ” 

Leaning over the heavy rails that guarded the de- 
scent, they espied, in the gloom beneath them, the muf- 
fled figures of the conspirators hurriedly passing along 
in the direction of the great hall, and their astonish- 
ment at seeing the Spaniards so betimely astir was 
only exceeded by the sudden fear that these mysterious 


MY lady’s banner. 


ISO 

movements had some connection with the intended 
departure of their guests. 

Keep close to me, Mabs — confound these creaking 
old boards! There goes that hoary old sinner Don 
Saturnino, with murder writ large on his parchment^ 
dry features. Now is our time, for they are going in the 
opposite direction to the corridor. Gently does it — on 
tip-toe, Mabs. Now we are on terra firma. Give me 
your hand — why, how it is trembling! They won’t 
hear us on this matting; so here goes for a run! ” 

Suiting the action to the word they pressed swiftly 
onwards through the intricacies of the narrow corridor, 
and, in the almost total darkness, colliding at times 
with projecting cabinets, jutting armoury, and awk- 
ward corners, until they arrived at the small postern 
door before referred to, breathless, and in a condition 
of wild excitement. 

Eagerly his fumbling fingers went over the intricate 
wrought-work and complicated bolts of the old oaken 
door, in an attempt to solve the secret of its fastening; 
and many and energetic were the comments on me- 
diaeval craftsmanship he gave utterance to as he 
paused from time to time to rub his bruised hands and 
snap his fingers in pain. 

'' Wait, I have got my matches! Let us have some 
light upon the scene. Hah! I thought so — I feared 
as much! Bad luck to the precautionary rascal who 
did it! See, where the bolt has been shot; and the 


MY lady’s banner. 


key — it is missing! It is of no use my trying any 
further, Mabs, and it won’t open to that piteous little 
look of yours if you were to sit down before it to 
eternity! Come, let us seek an exit through the hall 
into the courtyard, and on the footsteps of our melo- 
dramatic friends.” 

She obeyed him without a word, for her belief in 
his almost preternatural powers of protection were un- 
bounded. 

In this venture they met with a better success, for 
the vast banqueting-room, which they had no difficulty 
in reaching, lay grey and empty before them in the cold 
morning light; and, a small door under its lofty win- 
dows yielding readily to his pressure, they found them- 
selves, to their delight, in the open and welcome light 
of day. 

Now for the portcullis gates! Get hold of my 
hand, little one. There is somebody on guard there — 
Breconridge, as 1 am alive! ” 

Never did the ancient major-domo appear so irri- 
tatingly obtuse as he did that morning to this young 
countryman of his, now rapidly beginning to lose his 
temper as a result of his recent failure to reach the 
castle grounds. In reply to a final and angry demand 
that the gates might be opened to them the former 
pointed obstinately and repeatedly to his riven mouth, 
as was his custom, shook his head in the direction of 
the upper castle, and then, folding his arms determin- 


152 


MY LADY^S BANNER. 


edly on his breast, composed himself on his stone sill 
as if to resume his disturbed slumbers. 

You won’t! Very well, then, we shall see, my 
friend. Marion, you will remain here until I have seen 
Lady Diarrogh and expostulated with her on the gross 
impertinence of this fellow. He is evidently obeying 
her orders, and will not open to us until I bring him 
her ladyship’s authority to do so.” 

The now thoroughly frightened young girl w^ould 
have returned wdth him, and, indeed, she begged hard 
that she might be permitted to do so; but, alarmed at 
the trend of recent events, and fearful of again bringing 
her wdthin the castle walls, he implored her to remain 
until he returned; and then, as though he dreaded the 
effect of her entreaties upon him, he turned and made 
for the hall at the top of his speed. 

Scarcely had he left her, and before she was able to 
recall him, an attendant approached, and having sum- 
moned the major-domo to attend in the council cham- 
ber, proceeded to take up his predecessor’s duties with 
the same insolence of demeanour, and a similar as- 
sumption of indifference to her repeated demands that 
the gate might be opened to her. And here, however 
reluctantly, the exigencies of narrative demand that 
we must leave her in her distress, and return to follow 
the fortunes of her true knight and our hero. 

As he entered the castle and flew along its flagged 
hall, highly exasperated at his recent repulse, and 


MY LADY S BANNER. 


IS3 


revolving in his agitated mind how he might best 
seek audience of her ladyship at that unwonted hour 
of the day, young Darley became conscious of a figure 
standing within the low gothic doorway immediately 
before him, and presently, with an exclamation of sur- 
prised recognition, he hastened towards it, and 
stood panting and too much exhausted by his recent 
exertions to utter a word. 

Your movements in the courtyard, Sehor Darley, 
were apparent to me from my window,’’ said the 
occupant of the doorway quietly, and with the hauteur 
that had impressed him so deeply at their first meeting. 
‘‘ And, fearing some untoward result from your atti- 
tude to my major-domo, I was on my way here to 
remonstrate with you.” 

Was it possible! Could it be in order of things 
human, he asked himself, that this was the same 
woman who, on her knees to him in humiliation so 
manifest and utter, had pleaded to him so passionately 
for his lasting regard; and who now, with eyes of the 
coldest indifference, and words so dispassionate that 
they bordered on the contemptuous, stood there before 
him with the quiet unconcern of an entire stranger? 

Lady Diarrogh, I am at a loss to understand you! 
You were aware last night of our intention to leave this 
place at daybreak this morning, and I had naturally 
pres.umed that no obstacle would be placed in the way 
of our doing so. Why, then, this change — this inex' 


154 


MY lady's banner. 


plicable treatment of those to whom you have hitherto 
shown so much consideration? " 

It is the outcome of a better consideration, Sehor 
Darley; a reconsideration induced by my solicitude for 
the affairs of my Spanish compatriots. It has been 
made apparent to myself and el Sehor, my brother, 
that it would be of the supremest folly to permit one 
to leave the precincts of the castle who has become 
acquainted with the political transactions for which it 
is being made use of.’' 

Really, my Lady Diarrogh, this is intolerable! Do 
you wish me to forget myself — to abandon all the po- 
liteness due to a lady, in our further dealings? How 
could I know — what opportunity had I of learning, 
what was going on within this place, even had I felt 
disposed to interest myself in matters that do not in 
the least concern me? Take my word for it, now — my 
solemn oath on it, should you so desire it — that nothing 
of that which I may have seen or heard during my 
stay shall ever be touched upon by me to others. As 
for my cousin's silence on matters of which she knows 
nothing, it would, of course, be sheer nonsense to urge 
such a thing. I must insist on your permitting us to 
depart from here without another minute's delay." 

Here was no chicken-hearted painter Suarez, cower- 
ing before the offended majesty of this pampered 
beauty like a cringing slave under the lash. The in- 
trepid youngster, under a deep sense of the wrong done 


MY LADY S BANNER. 


155 


to him and the lady of his heart, was positively aglow 
with righteous anger as, with his lithe, graceful figure 
drawn to its full height, and the large earnest eyes 
burning with fiery zeal on his cousin's behalf, he stood 
before this masterful woman, the embodiment of con- 
summate daring, and irritatingly indifferent to any con- 
sequences his attitude might bring upon him. 

The spectacle appealed to the wild, lawless spirit of 
the woman with a force that was irresistible, and again 
her boson) heaved under the emotions thereby en- 
gendered, and the old light of love that had never 
ceased to burn under all this simulated indifference 
flashed out upon him with an intensity that should have 
been unmistakable to him, had his thoughts not been 
otherwise occupied. 

Senor Darley — Evelyn, it may not be," she replied 
with more amiability of tone. Painful as a longer 
sojourn within my castle would appear to be to you, 
yet my brother " 

''But where is he?" broke in the youth with 
passionate abruptness. "Let me see him at once! 
Does he think for one moment that I am to be 
coerced at his bidding into remaining here, when I 
have made up my mind not to do so? Are there 
no laws in this country to punish those who would 
be disposed to wrongfully restrain an English subject 
on English land? He dare not! I defy him, and all 
his crew ! " 


MY lady’s banner. 


156 

‘‘ Hush ! ” she exclaimed, as two men at that moment 
entered the doorway opposite, and proceeded across 
the hall towards them. '' Come with me behind this 
arras and utter no word; but regard them well as they 
pass, and I will tell you something afterwards that shall 
be to your benefit.” 

She drew him gently behind the old tapestry that 
hung on either side of the door, and, herself concealed, 
left him in a position to scrutinize the new-comers 
without being perceived by them. 

As they approached, and the light from the tall 
windows fell upon them, he recognized, with some 
difficulty at first, the painter, Diego Suarez — so altered 
was he in appearance; his form bent, his head bowed 
upon his breast, and the marks of his recent encounter 
with Don Urbano very apparent on his face. Behind 
him stalked the herculean Breconridge, and it needed 
no great powers of observation for the youth to divine 
that the former was to all practical purposes a prisoner, 
and in the charge of this formidable warder. 

''Well, Sehor!” she observed with a triumphant 
smile, as the two men passed silently through the open- 
ing beside them. " Let me now tell you that this crea- 
ture — this Suarez — whom you have noted in his dejec- 
tion, did also dare to question our powers of restraint. 
A traitor to his sovereign, he would have gone fur- 
ther, and with his outgoing from us this day would 
have worked such mischief to the Carlist cause that the 


MY lady’s banner. 


157 


result would have been of the most disastrous nature. 
Yet, see how we have timely clipped his wings — we, 
whom you would thus wantonly hold in defiance! ” 

He was a poltroon — the basest of curs to have 
rendered so shabby a return to his benefactress for her 
patronage!” replied the youth energetically, “and I 
have little or*no sympathy with the fellow in his pres- 
ent condition — much less any wish to mention such a 
matter outside. But I must tell you again. Lady 
Diarrogh, that these affairs have little if any interest 
for me, and I don’t see how this incident can in any 
way influence my going, now that I most heartily 
desire it.” 

“ Evelyn,” she replied softly, and reverting to her 
old methods of caressing tenderness, “ hear me again, 
and believe me that what I now say to you is irrev- 
ocable. I have told you, mi querido, in terms that to 
your English ears must have appeared strange — may- 
hap unmaidenly — that I loved you. But I had not 
told you all, cruel one, believing — fondly hoping — that 
your replies were given at first hand, without reflec- 
tion, and that you might yet, at this last moment, be in- 
clined to alter your decision to leave me. Alas! I have 
seen only too well that it may not be so, and I, too — for 
I am not also without the pride of my ancestors — have 
decided with equal resolution to maintain my point — 
to consummate my wish. You shall not leave this 
place — yes, Evelyn, I repeat it — until we shall both 


MY lady's banner. 


153 

pass out of it, for ever, should you wish it, as hus- 
band and wife! Think you, then, that I would consent 
to remain here, condemned to suflfer in silence the 
pangs your absence would bring to me, without some 
effort to resist so great a calamity? No, for I will 
make you love me, mi rubio — my life shall be devoted 
to it — it has been foretold of the Fates that it must be 
so — and I shall succeed. Why do you remain blind 
to the consequences you would bring upon yourself by 
thus spurning one who would give up her position, 
affairs, friends, her very life to make you happy? Why, 
I say, do you commit this crime against reason in order 
to pursue the chimera of a love that is not — that can 
never be — worthy of you? " 

“ Oh, Lady Diarrogh, what folly is this? " he 
exclaimed with genuine pain, but with none of his 
former confusion at her disconcerting candour. Have 
I not emphatically said that this thing must not be 
further discussed? It is unwomanly of you in the 
extreme to do so, for it places me in a position 
whence I cannot reply to you without giving you 
offence — and that. Heaven knows, is the last thing 
I would wish. I have liked you — very much, and 
do so still, and I would desire to preserve that 
feeling between us; but flattered — honoured, as I 
cannot help being by your sentiments towards me, 
my heart and hand are pledged to my cousin. Miss 
Wilton, and by her it is my wish to staunchly remain. 


MY LADY S BANNER. 


159 


I beg that you will further favour me by giving such 
orders to your attendants that we may leave this 
place at once. My cousin is at the inner gates in 
the intensest alarm, and if you have any pity in 
your heart for her feelings, you will not prolong a 
state of affairs that may have the most serious con- 
sequences for her! ” 

'' Caramba, I care not for her — this mere child! 
She will remain here with you — for the present! ’’ 

And is this really your intention, madam? ” 

^‘Indubitably!’’ 

“ Then I tell you. Lady Diarrogh, I will force my 
way out from here at all hazards, and woe betide any- 
one who shall endeavour to stay me! ” 

This Quixotic resolve, delivered with considerable 
unction, was greeted with a low, mocking laugh by his 
companion, whose temper had taken fire at his, as 
she stood with folded arms and half-closed eyes 
watching his every movement intently. 

“ Are you not a little too late, Sehor? ” she added 
with a sneer as he turned to leave her, at the same 
moment that the opposite doorway was darkened, and 
the muffled forms of the Spanish conspirators filed 
into the hall. 

“We shall see. Lady Diarrogh, for even they — no, 
nor thrice their number shall hinder me! ” 

He strode off* determinedly across the hall, with the 
first intention of avoiding, if possible, a collision with 


i6o my lady’s banner. 

these fiery and accommodating gentlemen, and then, 
having reached the portcullis gates, to intimidate the 
person in charge into opening them.; for his Saxon 
blood was now thoroughly up, v^ith the knowledge of 
this trap into which he had fallen, and he was ren- 
dered additionally embittered by the thought that it 
was he who, against his cousin’s wishes, had first in- 
duced her to enter it with him. 

At a signal from the chdtelainey which was unseen by 
him, the conspirators immediately drew themselves 
together and formed a line across the entrance way, 
with the evident intention of barring his further prog- 
ress, and at the same instant a shrill cry of alarm — his 
Marion’s voice — from without fell upon his ears and 
caused him, with desperation, to redouble his speed 
until he came up with them. 

The door, gentlemen — I would pass. Hinder me 
not, I beg of you ! ” 

The vigorous motion of his hand that accompanied 
the words was not to be misunderstood, even if the 
latter were unintelligible to them. It was a critical 
moment, and in the breathless silence that followed 
the voice of Rufina del Montefuego was heard, bidding 
them at all cost to harm him not. 

Bending his courtly figure with a smile of false 
politeness, and pointing in the direction of the Dona 
Rufina, Don Fabricio del Monte, who in the absence 
of his chief, Don Domingo, appeared to have taken 


MY lady’s banner. l6l 

the lead, gave the indignant youth to understand, by 
gestures most emphatic, that it was her wish, seconded 
by himself and his companions, that he should remain 
where he was. 

The moment for action had arrived sooner than the 
youth had expected, and the odds to be encountered 
were greater than he had at first seriously anticipated. 
Yet nothing daunted, and with clenched hands, he was 
advancing deliberately to the attack, when his oppo- 
nent, with a quick movement that was followed by his 
companions, drew a long, narrow-bladed sword from 
its sheath under his voluminous cloak and confronted 
him threateningly with its point. 

Have at you, Seiior Ingles! ” he observed in tones 
of quiet defiance as he divested himself of his cloak 
and threw it aside. ‘‘ Here have you no Senor Brecon- 
ridge to encounter, I can promise you. Don Urbano, 
this is my affair, I beg you will leave the Senor to me — 
giving him your sword; for I would meet him on equal 
terms! ” 

But the desperate youth had already anticipated 
them, and, with a quick glance over his shoulder, had 
made a break across the hall to the side whereon a 
number of weapons of every shape and age were hang- 
ing. Here, having selected and wrenched a huge cav- 
alry sabre from its dusty scabbard, he was about to re- 
turn to meet his adversaries when Rufina del Monte- 
fuego appeared at his side in extreme agitation at the 


i 62 


MY LADY S BANNER. 


unexpectedly dangerous turn of aflfairs, and laid her 
hand imploringly on his arm. 

“ What insanity is this? Forbear, Evelyn. Do you 
not see that any further resistance to these caballeros 
would place you in peril of your life? Desist, I beg 
of you, and I will see to it that you are not harmed! ” 
Intercede for them, rather, madam!’’ he retorted 
with a reckless laugh, as he tried the temper of the old 
weapon with his knee, bending it against the pavement. 

This day’s work is of your doing, remember. Let the 
result lie to your charge! ” 

Wrenching himself from her grasp he ran swiftly 
towards the threatening group, foremost among whom, 
with a consummate coolness of demeanour, stood Don 
Fabricio, sword in hand, and feet implanted in readi- 
ness to resist his onslaught. 

Put up your swords, gentlemen! Don Fabricio, I 
command you to desist! He must be disarmed! What, 
Sehor, dare you to disobey me? ” 

It was the voice of the alarmed mistress of the castle 
as she hastened to join them. 

Sapristiy madam, my cousin, would you have me 
lower my sword to a barbarian who would infallibly 
take me at a disadvantage? Not so! Fall to, Sehor 
IngUs. I will sustain the honour of these Sehores in 
person. Vamos con Dios! ” 

The youth’s very ignorance of swordsmanship and 
the passion of despair that filled him as he remembered 


MY lady’s banner. 


163 


his cousin’s cry of distress, and connected it with Don 
Domingo’s absence, stood him in good stead in the 
contest, short and sharp, that immediately ensued. 
For, expert though the Spaniard soon showed himself 
to be in the art of fence, he had ^’’et to become ac- 
quainted with the danger involved in dealing with an 
adversary uncertain in attack, and in his blind fury 
trusting rather to the swashing blow than to finesse. It 
was therefore at that moment, when his cousin would 
have thrown herself between them at the risk of re- 
ceiving a dangerous wound, that the luckless Don 
Fabricio, his sombrero struck from his head by the 
terrible blow that now stood recorded in the livid and 
far-extending gash that disfigured his brow, staggered 
backwards, and, dropping his sword from his paralyzed 
hand, sank incontinently to the ground. 

Then as the triumphant youth, taking advantage of 
the disorder into which the group was thrown by this 
misadventure, was about to spring for the door, a 
trenchant blow on the head, dealt him from behind 
by the major-domo, who had entered the hall at this 
juncture, rendered him completely unconscious, and 
he fell heavily forward into the outstretched arms of 
Rufina del Montefuego. 


164 


MY lady’s banner. 


CHAPTER XV. 

SCARCE ONE STEP FROM THE DUNGEON TO THE ALTAR. 

When, again, the unfortunate youth returned to 
consciousness, the cruel blow that had bereft him of it 
rendered him still unable of volition to move hand or 
foot in his attempt to rise, and he lay for a consider- 
able period in a helpless condition on the pallet to 
which he had been consigned — his eyes wandering 
amazedly about the half-darkened chamber, as he en- 
deavoured by might and main to awaken his stunned 
wits into some lucid account of events that had led to 
his presence in so strange a place. 

The room itself, so far as he could see by the light 
from a small shaded lamp that stood on a table beside 
him, was of extremely limited dimensions, with walls 
apparently of solid rock, coated and smeared with the 
dust and grime of centuries; and high above him, on 
the opposite side to that on which his bed was placed, 
appeared a narrow window — a mere slit in the rockery, 
rough-glazed, and stoutly barred with ironwork. But 
of daylight there was not a vestige from without, lead- 
ing him to infer that it was night-time, and, also, that 


MY lady's banner. 


i6s 

the livid glare that played at intervals through the open- 
ing, followed by distant rumbling sounds, denoted the"* 
progress of a storm. 

Little by little his powers of movement began to 
return to him, and, with them, a gradual awakening of 
his senses to a full knowledge of the occurrences of 
the morning — for it was to be surmised that his stupor 
was of no longer duration, and with a prolonged groan 
of intense pain he roused himself into a sitting position 
on the side of the bed, and proceeded ruefully to sur- 
vey the appointments of his cell, for such it undoubt- 
edly was. Then, as his full vigour of body returned, 
and his brain cleared, he set about at once to devise 
some means of escape from his prison. 

In the dim light that prevailed he had been able to 
discover that there were two doors to the cell, facing 
one another, and at right angles to the window. The 
larger one, and that apparently in present use, was of 
the stoutest oak quartering, garnished with mediaeval 
scrolls of iron, and of a strength that no effort on his 
part — and he had flung the full weight of his body 
against it in the attempt — could affect in the least de- 
gree. The other, which he now proceeded, lamp in 
hand, to examine, was wholly of iron, but of such un- 
usually small dimensions that it might easily have been 
mistaken for a mere casing to some disused fireplace, 
were it not for the powerful hinges, the ancient lock, 
and the heavy bolts that were shot into the stone jambs 


MY lady’s banner. 


1 66 

on three of its sides. Yet, notwithstanding the posi- 
tion of these bolts and hinges, there was every indica- 
tion that this door opened outwardly and from him. 

Without a moment’s delay, and undeterred by the 
fact that a thick coating of cobwebs denoted years, if 
not ages, of permanent closure, Evelyn Barley set to 
work to release the bolts from their positions, utilising 
every available article of furniture within the cell in the 
attempt. And after half an hour's persistent work, at 
the cost of a broken nail and some abrasions to the 
skin, he eventually succeeded. Then seizing a heavy 
joint-stool that had hitherto stood him in good stead 
during his operations, he proceeded to batter on the old 
iron plate with the might of fury, until the cell echoed 
again under the weight of his blows; but, alas! without 
the least response of movement on the part of this 
locked and sturdy relic of a workmanlike age. 

Pausing for some seconds to recover breath he 
retired the entire length of the cell, and then launched 
himself against the door with an impetus that would 
have infallibly burst the fastenings of many a more 
modern and jerry-built prototype; yet here again with- 
out any better result than a considerably bruised hip, a 
jarred system, and a return of the excruciating pains to 
his head. 

There now remained but the window, and to this he 
forthwith dragged the heavy square table that occupied 
a large part of the cell, and, mounting upon it, brought 


UX LADy’s CAJNNER. 167 

his head to a level with the time-corroded bars and 
adamant panes that guarded the opening. It needed 
but a glance to convince him that any attempt to es- 
cape in this direction would be equally futile; and, 
recognizing this, he had perforce to descend and return 
to the bedside, there to sit and there to bar out, if such 
a tiling were possible, all thought of his cousin and her 
hapless position; otherwise he felt that to dwell upon 
so terrible a theme, in his then distracted condition of 
mind, would inevitably tend to subvert reason itself. 
Yet would her sweet face, despite his best endeavours, 
refuse to remain away from him, and her last piteous 
cry of distress cease to ring in his ears ; and it was with 
the double object of escaping from these heart-break- 
ing manifestations, and to project fresh schemes for 
flight, that he sprang to his feet and proceeded to pace 
the floor of the cell rapidly to and fro, pausing at fre- 
quent intervals at the larger door to listen for any in- 
dication of approaching footsteps. 

It was during one of these moments of rest, and as 
he stood with his head pressed to the heavy portal — 
partly to assuage the throes of his beating brain, and 
partly to assist him in detecting some outside move- 
ment — that a sound, as of a gentle tapping, came to 
him from the opposite side of the chamber. 

In that direction he now flew with an exclamation 
of the profoundest joy, for, intuitively, he seemed to 
feel that this movement must indicate the presence 


i68 


MY LADY S BANNEE. 


close at hand of some friendly person — possibly the 
unhappy Suarez, or even the Doha Mercedes herself — 
bent on securing his release. 

To his answering knock the soft tapping suddenly 
ceased, and immediately afterwards, and to his un- 
mitigated delight, the iron head of an enormous key 
was slipped gently into the lock from without, and 
gradually filled the aperture on the inner side. Listen- 
ing intently he could distinguish the sound of a bolt 
being slowly and laboriously withdrawn, followed by 
another, and yet another — a long pause supervening, 
as if the invisible friend, exhausted by his, or her, ef- 
forts, was in the act of resting. Then under his eyes 
the key began slowly to revolve within the lock until 
the bolt went back into its unaccustomed home with a 
loud rasping shock that appeared to have startled the 
mysterious turnkey himself, for the sound of a falling 
bar, which had apparently been used as a lever, came 
simultaneously to the youth's ears as he stood silently 
wishing his deliverer God-speed in his venture. 

After another and longer spell of utter silence the 
gentle signal was again repeated, and the youth, divin- 
ing of instinct its meaning and what was now required 
of him, placed his powerful young shoulders against 
the ironwork, and by dint of a tremendous effort 
pushed the door slowly outwards upon its hinges. 
And as he sprang back into his cell out of the utter 
darkness beyond, half fearing that his reception might 


MY lahy's banner. 


169 


not be of so friendly a nature as he at first had been led 
to surmise, he was immediately and closely followed 
into the light by no less a person than the chaplain of 
the castle, the venerable Padre Benito. 

The look of supreme benevolence and sincere pity 
that shone on the face of this truly good old man as 
he stood before the youth, so overwrought of mind, 
and fearing the worst, went directly to his heart with a 
consolatory effort so overwhelming that he sank on his 
knee before him in an attitude of the deepest venera- 
tion. 

Have no fear, my son,’' said his would-be deliverer 
in gentle tones, as he laid a benedictory hand on young 
Barley’s disordered curls, and smiled cheerily down at 
his upraised face. ‘‘ The lock and bolts were stubborn 
enough to the efforts of an old man, but I came 
prepared, and, Gracias a Dios, I have overcome them! 
Ah! the murderous rogues! how they have abused this 
poor head. See, here is water in this basin, pray you to 
let me bathe it for you — ^this bruised forehead. No? 
Then arise with this blessing, my son, and come with 
me out of this most loathsome place. Y es, yes, I know 
what you would enquire.” 

Marion — Miss Wilton, Father! Oh, tell me, have 
you brought news of her? Is she in danger? You, of 
all others, would know of her; for are you not the good 
Father Benito of whom she loved to speak? Tell me 
truly. Father, for your face would seem to augur 
strange tidings 1 ” 


170 my lady's banner. 

Courage, my son. She is indeed in God's safe 
keeping, beyond the touch of the most irreligious hand 
amongst the misguided ones of this ill-fated place! " 

“ Dead!" 

He would have fallen under the weight of the 
calamitous blow the misconstrued words had imparted 
had not the old priest hastened to his aid. 

Not so, my son! You have sadly misunderstood, 
for she is alive and well, though naturally much worn 
by grief and her anxiety as to your whereabouts and 
safety. Have courage of heart, then, my son, and 
continue your trust in Him who has vouchsafed to 
utilize these aged limbs for your deliverance, and who 
of His all-abiding mercy did guide this dear child to 
the sanctuary of His house, where, pursued by el Sehor 
del Montefuego, and shrieking — this poor lamb — she 
had directed her steps in the wildest of terror and call- 
ing upon my name! Yea, even to the very altar it- 
self, before which I was at my devotions, did this im- 
pious man pursue her to seize her in his sacrilegious 
arms and drag her therefrom. And in this baseness 
of design he would have persisted had not the sacred 
symbol — the holy cross — upheld to him in all solem- 
ness, and the words — words that I trust I may never 
again have cause to utter — driven him abashed from 
her side. Sehor, I see you are impatient, you would 
at once see her. Yet must it be with proper caution, 
that she may not in her condition be too unduly excited. 


MY lady’s banner. Ijl 

for I have not dared to inform her of your position 
until I had ascertained the room in which you lay, and 
had succeeded in actually conveying you to her. Come, 
then, with me and verify the truth of my words. But 
give me first your hand, for the crypt is of a midnight 
darkness, and its deviations are known now only to me. 
Come! ” 

Closing the iron door quietly upon them, after first 
having taken the precaution to extinguish the lamp, 
they entered the crypt hand in hand together, amidst 
a darkness so profound that its effect on the youth 
was of the most depressing nature. 

‘^We are now, my son, under the chapel itself,” 
whispered the voice of the priest close to his ear, as 
they groped their way onward and apparently down- 
ward. And the place to which this descent will lead 
is the burial vault of the Diarroghs. Here, to the left, 
under my hand, is already the tomb of the good Sir 
Balefred — whom Jesu assoil! He was of the most 
devout of good men, and would assuredly have sternly 
discountenanced the wayward proceedings of his lady 
and her household had he been yet v/ith us. Benedicte 
domimim omnes elccfi ejus! Forwards, my son! Here 
have you naught to fear but the poor bones of a 
vanished house. Still have you right, for it is indeed 
of a profound and deathful quiet. Yet even to this 
must we all arrive — as inevitably as the leaf that falls 
and is compounded of the general mould. Heed, there- 


172 


MY lady’s banner. 


fore, the lesson, my child, lest of your young blood’s 
riot a day shall come when death and dissolution, as we 
have it here, may constitute a never-ceasing terror for 
your declining years. Now, mark you yon light that 
glimmers but faintly before us? It is the entry from 
the chapel, and Gracias a Dios, our journey’s end.” 

The floor of the crypt now began to incline steeply 
upwards under their cautious steps, until the small 
door that appeared above them was reached, and here 
a short flight of stone steps conducted them into the 
chancel of the chapel itself. 

Still holding the priest by the hand, his eyes be- 
dazzled by the long-absent light, the youth was con- 
ducted to the back of the altar, which, with its immedi- 
ate surroundings, was fully illuminated as if for High 
Mass; and there, to his inexpressible joy, on an ex- 
temporised couch, and in an attitude of profound slum- 
ber, lay the one dearest object of all his solicitude — 
Marion Wilton. 

''Hush! awake her not, my son,” whispered the 
priest as the youth, with an uncontrollable impulse, 
was about to touch her hand. " Not too abruptly, for 
I would have had her sleep well, that her strength may 
be recouped for the further venture which it will be my 
duty to unfold to you.” 

"One kiss. Father — just one, I implore you! See 
the tear-marks on those poor wan cheeks. I would 
I had the unfeeling villain here who induced them to 


MY lady’s banner. 


173 


flow, and I would serve him as eflSciently as I did his 
cousin. See, I will not awake her!” 

But his voice, low and tremulous as it was with 
suppressed feeling, had nevertheless reached her ears 
in her dreams, and with a wild cry of Evelyn, where 
are you, my love? ” she sprang up from the couch and 
was immediately caught to his bosom in a transport of 
rapturous joy. 

Then there ensued one of those delightful little 
intervals of mutual congratulation and tender solici- 
tude, so obviously natural to lovers, during which the 
good old man beside them evinced symptoms of the 
liveliest, if too mundane, satisfaction : now helping him- 
self prodigiously to snuff, anon wiping his eyes with his 
coatsleeve as if dust alone were the object, and finally 
regarding them both with head askew and a smile of 
supreme benignity on his refinenl features, as though 
he were appraising a moral subject by an approved old 
master. 

‘'Hey-day! have we now done, my children? ” he 
presently enquired with a quizzical smile that came as 
a streak of sunlight across his pale, thin face. “ Come, 
then, and let us further discuss this your position, 
amongst us of the castle. How say you, Senor Bar- 
ley? Let me put it to you thus shortly. On the one 
hand have we the Senores, my countrymen, intensely 
embittered at the severe wound inflicted on el Senor 
del Monte by your hand in self-defence; and who, if 


174 


MY lady's banner. 


I know their dispositions well, may at any moment 
break from her ladyship’s restraint and seek to do you 
some terrible hurt. I need not mention the fact revealed 
to me by the Senorita Mercedes that, in any case, your 
retention at her ladyship’s pleasure may be an indefi- 
nitely prolonged one, for she seems in her madness to 
have elected to defy all the laws, both statutory and 
moral, and what further steps she and her hot-head 
brother may take it passes the wit of man to foretell. 
That, Sefior, is the position within the castle! On the 
other hand, the night is wild; an equinoctial storm 
rages outside with a virulence seldom witnessed by 
these old eyes; there is lightning incessant, and the 
rain also streams unceasingly. Suffering from the 
effects of a blow so cowardly dealt to you this morn- 
ing, and deprived of the sleep that should follow your 
indisposition, you are not of too robust a state of body, 
my son, to encounter the elements on such a night as 
this, much less is your young noviasitay here, fitted for 
so terrible an exposure to wet and cold. Let me not 
influence you in your decision, for this poor distracted 
old head has long since ceased to adjudicate on affairs 
outside the offices of the Church. Yet my heart — the 
brain’s mistress, whose importunities it seldom refuses 
— would have you stay until to-morrow night, when 
the storm will have subsided, though the attempt at 
flight would then be rendered doubly perilous by the 
means that would be taken to prevent it as soon as your 


MY I^y's banner. 175 

presence here will have been ascertained. But of this 
rest assured, my children, while you remain here with 
me in this holy place you will not be harmed.’’ 

“ Marion,” said the youth, as he still held her 
affectionately to his side, ‘‘ what do you say? Would 
you venture the attempt to escape to-night — at once, 
if Father Benito were to give us the means? ” 

“Where you go I will go, Evelyn; and as you 
bid me do, so will I obey,” she replied, looking 
up at him with a world of sweet confidence in her 
eyes. 

“ Enough — we will venture it, Father. Let us set 
about it at once.” 

“ May God the all-seeing watch over you, my 
children,” observed the old man fervently. “ For I 
believe that you have elected for the best, and that 
this tempest may be a means to that good end which 
He, of His infinite wisdom, has ordained! ” 

From an old curtained wardrobe, in the corner of 
the sanctuary, he brought forth a heavy, hooded cloak, 
which he proceeded, with tremulous hands, to adjust 
about the shoulders and head of the young girl; and 
the youth having persistently refused all wrappings on 
the plea that his movements in the event of attack 
would be impeded thereby, the old man departed in 
the direction of the belfry, from whence he returned 
presently, dragging with him a coil of rope, which he 
threw down before them with an air of exultation. 


176 


MY lady's banner. 


“ It is of good strength, my son, and from the 
appearance of this iron hook, attached to one end, 
would seem to have performed a similar duty on more 
than one occasion. Come with me now, and softly 
through the transept. Your absence has not yet been 
detected, or they would at once have sought you here." 

Carrying the rope on his shoulder, with the young 
girl close at his side, Evelyn Darley, guided by the 
old priest, passed through the transept and along a 
covered way into the outer castle. 

“ Your hand, my son, and hold you that of the 
maiden," whispered Padre Benito as they emerged 
suddenly into darkness. ‘‘ For this is an obscure and 
seldom used passage, and we must not run any risk 
of being parted." 

In this formation they resumed their journey in 
an atmosphere of chilling dampness, and without a 
sound to break the stillness but their own soft footfalls 
and eager breathings. 

An exclamation of satisfaction from the priest and 
the slight noise of a moving hinge presently apprised 
them of their arrival at the end of the passage, and 
pressing closely behind him the youthful couple found 
themselves in an empty and spacious apartment, dimly 
revealed in the feeble light from its solitary window, 
yet whose every cranny was filled, shortly after their 
entry, by a vivid flash of lightning that lit up and dis- 
played, outstretched before them, in one terrible sec- 


MY lady’s banner. 


177 


ond, not only the castle grounds, but the teeming land- 
scape for many a mile round. 

‘‘ Ave Maria! ” muttered the aged priest, crossing 
himself devoutly as the snarling crash that immediately 
followed deepened into a prolonged roar that seemed 
to shake the solid masonry to its foundations. How 
say you, my son? Is not the weather too in- 
clement? Had we not better retrace our steps to the 
chapel? ” 

“Not for worlds. Father!” Replied the youth with 
energy. “ My cousin — Miss Wilton — will not hear of 
it, and the opportunity is far too tempting to be now 
refused.” 

“ The words of a brave youth — an Englishman, and 
one worthy of so intrepid and faithful a companion. 
Bring then forward the rope.” He went to the win- 
dow and threw it open — the rain, as he did so, beating 
in on them in torrents with the gale. “ It is in length 
about thirty feet, and will reach the moat within a 
foot or two. Attach the hook here to the sill, and 
throw the coil outward. You are strong of arm, and 
will support the light weight of this tender one, whom 
I will assist from the window when you have first 
swung your body to the rope. The latter you will re- 
tain in your hand after you have descended and until I 
cast the hook outwards to you, for you will need it in 
your further attempt to scale the high boundary wall, 
which must be at a point well to the left of the lodge. 


178 


MY LADY S BANNER. 


The village lies some three miles to the right on the 
high road. You will proceed there at once and seek 
shelter. Have no fear, my son, for the moat is of no 
great depth at this point, and may easily be forded. 

'' I will not bid you farewell, my children,’’ he added, 
as his eyes became suffused with tears, and his voice 
sank to a mere whisper under his emotions. Rather 
let it be Au revoivy for I would fain see you again. 
You have become dear to me of your sweet compas- 
sion for my age. And I will, if my life is preserved of 
God, seek you out, and further relate to you the events 
that will follow your departure. Yet,” he added in 
some alarm as the thought occurred to him, you will 
doubtless with your renewed liberty have recourse to 
the authorities — to the outraged law, in vindication of 
this indignity which you and yours have suffered at 
the hands of my countrymen. Undoubtedly you will 
be within your right in doing so. And yet, I loved 
her — and do so even now, in all her headstrong folly, 
this poor misguided daughter, who as an infant under- 
went baptism at these hands, and who as a bright and 
happy child I have dandled many and many is the 

time on these knees. I repeat you will do this ” 

Never, Father! ” broke in the maiden impetuously. 

Evelyn, we could never be so base as to do such a 
thing! Once free, we shall never bring our lips to 
utter a word of our mishaps in Tarnworth. You will 
promise it, Evelyn, will you not — for this poor old 


UY lady's bannejl 


179 


man's sake, who may by this very act have saved our 
lives and imperilled his own?" 

‘‘I will swear it!" returned the youth with equal 
fervour, as he held out his hand to the old priest in 
farewell. ‘‘ For your sake. Father, these events shall 
be as of a dream — never to be recalled until that fair 
day when we shall meet again — let us hope under hap- 
pier circumstances. There is the address of my father's 
home. We shall look forward to your arrival with 
infinite delight! " 

Pressing his lips to the youth's forehead in grateful 
acknowledgment of his undertaking, and wishing him 
all prosperity in his perilous adventure, the old priest 
turned to the young girl and escorted her to the 
window — outside which the youth had already sus- 
tained his weight on the pendant rope. 

‘‘ Come, my dear child, and have no fear, for not 
the elements at war — no, nor all the evil machinations 
of man, shall harm the little head which I now do 
bless! Farewell — nay, I had forgotten — An revoir! " 

He kissed her pale cheek with reverential tender- 
ness, and then, having assisted her from the window, 
and seen her arms safely bestowed about her lover's 
neck, stood looking down in the intervals of blinding 
light and profound gloom, as the youth, hand over 
hand, and by sheer strength of muscle, descended with 
her to the moat, into which he dropped to the waist, 
without, however, losing his foothold amid its stagnant 
waters. 


i8o 


JMY LADY S BANN£JR. 


When, again, they looked upwards after they had 
gained the opposite bank they saw him standing at the 
storm-lit window, his long white hair tossed by the 
winds, his hands and eyes upturned to heaven, and his 
aged lips moving in fervent prayer. 


MX lajdy’s BANN£:R> 


i8i 


CHAPTER XVL 

“ EVELYN, LOOK BUT ONCE UPON ME! ’’ 

Terrifying of din, and of a destructive fury beyond 
memory, that autumn night's storm will be discussed 
by the gossips of Tarnworth and the neighbouring 
hamlets when the subversion of governments shall 
have been forgotten. 

Throughout the evening, and from a period shortly 
following upon the escape of Evelyn Barley and Mar- 
ion Wilton from the castle, lights might have been 
seen going and coming within its extensive range of 
windows and upon its terrace, and even within the 
lower grounds, as though some event of an unusual 
nature had occurred to disturb the normal quiet of the 
inmates. And more than once were the lodge gates 
opened by the attendant major-domo to impatient 
horsemen, cloaked, booted, and spurred, who rode fu- 
riously away into the storm, and along the torrential 
highway in the direction of Tarnworth village. 

And as these midnight cavaliers, with bent heads 
under their wide-flapped hats, thundered past the 
boundary wall of the castle grounds, their movements 


i 82 


MY LAQY's banner. 


appeared to form a subject of considerable interest 
to a solitary individual standing beneath a tree in the 
forest that bordered the roadside. 

'' What can it all mean! It is inexplicable to me! ’’ 
he muttered, as he bent suddenly forward to catch the 
features of a rider who at that instant was involved 
in a blinding flash of light that sprang from the heav- 
ens with an intense brilliancy that seemed to revivify 
the day. '' That was surely Don Fabricio del Monte, 
his head bound up, and his face of a deathly pallor. 
Surely she cannot have been so mad as to have sent 
them out with the object of intercepting those un- 
fortunate children ! I cannot believe it, for they would 
first have come to me — to Lovell — to enquire if I had 
met with them. Have I done right in giving them 
the shelter the young girl craved of me so piteously 
when, exhausted by his efforts to escape, and the ill- 
treatment he had undergone, I found him insensible 
beneath yon wall with the poor little lassie, his 
sweetheart, wringing her hands over him in her de- 
spair? I might have summoned the major-domo 
and had them conveyed into the castle if — if the 
child had not looked at me in the way she did with 
those tearful and beseeching eyes. Have I done right 
in this? I trust to God I have, for much as I would 
venture for her ladyship's sake I would yet stop at 
murder, and what else would this surrender of them 
have meant but murder of the most cruel kind? No, 


MY lady’s banner, 183 

it has been for the best. She was warned of me to 
desist from this folly, and she laughed my words to 
scorn. Let the result not be without its lesson 
to her — and to me, for I would willingly wash my 
hands of it all before it may yet be too late. 
Merciful Heaven! who is that who has ventured into 
the wood, and who is now proceeding in their di- 
rection? ’’ 

He darted swiftly away into the undergrowth with 
the object of intercepting a cloaked figure that seemed 
to have sprung from the highway at his side, and 
was now making its way along a narrower path leading 
directly to his dwelling within the forest. 

As he gained the pathway within a few paces of 
the small cabin, from whose tiny window a light shone 
faintly through the descending torrents, the mysterious 
figure was already close upon him; and as he threw 
himself in front of it to stay its further progress a 
dazzling and sustained stream of fire illuminated its 
face — rain-soaked, ghastly in its pallor, and with eyes 
set in a frenzied stare of unspeakable woe: the face 
of one hovering on the borderland of insanity, and 
amenable to little, if any, restraint of reasoning from 
others: the face of one who would hesitate at no act, 
however terrible, to which, of premeditation, its pos- 
sessor were committed: the face of an Alecto: the face 
of Rufina del Montefuego — Lady Diarrogh ! 

Stand apart — I will not be denied — I will not be 


184 


MY LADY S BANNER. 


resisted, Lovell! He is there — I know it! Your 
attitude has betrayed it! Remove from my path, 
man! Nay, you shall not hinder me! 

She endeavoured frantically to evade him, but he had 
thrown one powerful arm about her, and held her 
dripping form tightly to his side. 

“ What madness is this, my lady? What is this you 
would do? No, no, you shall not be unloosed — I 

would save you. Hearken to me, daughter ’’ 

‘‘ I will not listen — I care not ! Lovell, I implore 

you to let me see her 

Hah! Would you seek to harm her ’’ 

Let me go, I repeat to you ! What care I for her, 
who has dared to come between me and my love! They 
are there — within yon hut — within reach, and I would 
confront them. Beseech you, kind Lovell, to let me 
but see them once more. Ah! thought you we were 
smitten then? What have you to do with fear, my 
faithful adherent, when I have none of it in my heart? 
See — yon oak — ’twas struck, and riven falls in frag- 
ments to the earth, whereon I would these sore- 
despised poor limbs were with them laid. Aye, rattle 
your loudest, ye blinding messengers of perditioh, for 
your presence has no terrors for me! Come, my faith- 
ful and ever attentive servidor, Don Eduardo Lovell, 
I pray of you to escort me to the presence of my love ; 
for they have all — all forsaken me in my distress — these 
pusillanimous lip-servants, and flee in terror to the 


MY lady’s banner. 


I8s 

ports to preserve their miserable bones from my true 
love’s vengeance: my brother — false brother — Don 
Fabricio — Urbano, the courtly Don Saturnino, so 
withered of heart — Suarez, the artist — no less perfid- 
ious — to whom I have also opened the door — all — all — 
all!” 

‘'Heaven preserve us! her reason is going!” mut- 
tered the old man alarmedly, as he bent closely to ob- 
serve her features. " Daughter, you are over-dis- 
tressed of mind, and your body is soaked from head to 
foot in this storm, and trembles with the cold. Come, 
come, let your friend, your faithful Lovell, take you 
back to the castle and to warmth ” 

“To the castle — no; never — never — never more! 
You are old, my timid Lovell, and speak out of your 
infirmities. You are also wise in divination. Hearken, 
then, to this foretelling — yet scorn it not: — 

When the owl, the stoat, and the night-wolf prowl. 

And the dead man shines i’ the mould: 

When children sigh, and ban-dogs howl, 

’Tis a fearsome time for the old — 

Heigh-ho! 

Tis a fearsome time for the old! 

“ Say not the worms so? Pray you, then, look to 
it well, my aged Lovell, for ’twill come — ’twill come. 

When night- sweat falls from sycamore bough; 

When death-watch hath foretold; 

When the deep gives pause ’twixt ebb and flow, 


i86 


MY lady’s banner. 


Tis a gruesome hour for the old— 

Heigh-ho! 

*Tis a gruesome hour for the old! 

‘‘ Ponder it well, my decrepit friend, for it outweighs 
all the mere babble of palms. Surely you are not. 
then, afraid of me, as was my pretty Evelyn, who rests 
beyond. It was a cruel blow, and fell with equal 
heaviness upon my heart as I caught him in these arms, 
and wept over him, cursing his assailant for his in- 
humanity. Santa Maria! how tender, soft, yet brilliant, 
is this violet light that lifts the pall from off my aching 
eyes, and show^s to me your face, my poor Lovell, so 
filled with commiseration for — what? I do not weep. 
I may not weep, though fain I would, while tears are 
yet the tribute of weakling fools. Conduct me then 
to the presence of these unfortunates — I would bid 
them farewell. See, I would not harm them!” She 
drew some glittering object from her bosom and with 
her disengaged hand threw it amidst the shrubbery. 
'' I know not how it came there! Was I mad? Per- 
adventure it were so, and I knew it not. Oh, reason, 
thou truant and most villainous defaulter, come thou 
nearer till I grapple thee yet closer! Knowest thou 
of a God, my divining friend? Thou answerest me in 
the affirmative, yet standest appalled when thus His 
sulphurous bolts are hurled about thine ears ! Hasten 
thee to the chapel, and bid the good Father Benito 
intercede for you, for your soul’s good. Hark! my 


MY lady's banner. 


187 


love is calling. It is wondrous dark, and the moon, 
alas, is down! Again! Heard you it not, amigo? 
It seemed of the air, so dulcet and fantastical, like 
fairy strains through meadow-buds soft blown." 

He called not, my lady; you are but indisposed of 
mind. The rain beats pitilessly down upon your face, 
and we are in peril standing here exposed to the 
lightning's rays. There can come no good of your 
seeing them in your present state of excitement. 
Come! " 

‘‘ Nay, but whither, my honest friend? Shall he 
not be answered? You would not be so impolite as 
to drag these poor aching limbs from hence, would 
you, my Lovell? Fie, fie; it were most cavalier! 

Dear, my love, O turn thee smiling. 

By thine eyes FIl quit thee vain 
If, withal this sore beguiling, 

Dear, my love, thou ’It turn again! 

You are grieved, my sturdy henchman. There are 
tears in your eyes! So, so, let me stroke thy cheeks; 
for you would not have me cruel and dismiss thee for 
this manifestation of puling weakness, my poor Lovell! 

Yester-e’en, within yon alcove. 

By those lips that sealed thy trow. 

Sure thou took me for thy true-love. 

Dear, my lo\e, O turn thee now! 

But why stays the good Father Benito? He would 


i88 


MY LADY^S BANNER. 


intercede for me, and abjure you by the Cross I so 
wantonly contemned to deny me not this small boon 
I beg of you.” 

Touched to the heart by her abject condition, and 
the rambling words ever circling the theme so dear 
to her distraught mind, the gipsy took her by the 
hand and led her towards the hut. 

'' They are tired, my lady, exhausted by their efforts 
to escape from the castle, and I would not have them 
disturbed. You will solemnly promise me, then, to do 
no more than look in upon them from the window. On 
this point I must have your assurance before we pro- 
ceed further.” 

‘‘Yes, yes, indeed, Lovell! You have my promise 
most inviolate,” she returned with feverish haste as she 
pressed her lips to his great rough hand. “ I would 
not harm them, I would utter no syllable to disturb 
their repose. I am not mad as you would believe me 
to be. I am fevered, semi-delirious, very, very ill. 
There is a fiercely burning weight here upon my brain 
that lifts slowly with the dispersing elements. Lead 
on, and I will faithfully do as you bid me.” 

The storm, which had culminated, and exhausted its 
remaining forces over the forest-land as they stood but 
slightly sheltered from its virulence under a neigh- 
bouring tree, now drew slowly away, and, as they 
reached the gipsy’s cabin, the moon appeared suddenly 
in a rift of the clouds and shone down upon Lovell 


MY lady’s banner. 


189 


and his companion with a brightness as of the day. 

Stepping softly to the window he took out his hand- 
kerchief, and, wiping the clinging raindrops from its 
panes, bade her, in a whisper, to look within. 

Silently obeying him, her eager eyes went at once to 
a low trestle bed at the opposite side of the cabin, 
where, by the light of a small lamp on a chair by the 
side of it, the figure of young Darley was dearly re- 
vealed, lying in an attitude of deep sleep, his arms 
crossed and supporting his head, and his face half 
turned to the outer side of the bed, where, in silent 
prayer, the young girl knelt beside him with clasped 
hands and moving lips, and her eyes riveted upon his 
restful face. 

Long and fondly did the wretched woman continue 
to feast her eyes on this truly idyllic scene, and, as she 
did so, the gip^sy, her companion, fearing for her mind, 
noted with joy that, with the reaction the sight had 
induced, the tears at last were beginning to flow down 
her storm-beaten cheeks. 

Courage, my daughter, it is of such things as these 
that the heart must learn to forget,” he observed with 
unwonted kindness of voice, as, sobbing violently, she 
suffered him to lead her away. 

Forget! ” 

She had paused in the moonlight, passing her hand 
weariedly over her troubled brow, with a look of heart- 
rending incredibility at his words, and now retiring 


MY LADY'S BANNER. 


190 

slowly and reluctantly, with her face to the window, she 
repeated the word over and over again, as though she 
were endeavouring to bring its meaning within the 
scope of her distracted mind. 

Suddenly, and in a horrifying whisper, such as sleep- 
walkers will utter in the still of night, she enquired — 
Lovell, the dead forget, do they not? 

“ The dead are oblivious to all, my lady. Let us be 
journeying homewards.’^ 

Yet am I dead — of heart and of soul, and must I 
needs remember? Lovell, would thy devotion move 
thee to release me of this cumbrance? ” 

Thy God forfend, my lady. Such fearful thoughts 
are but for the wicked.’’ 

“Yet am I of the wickedest of God’s earth, and 
must I for ever remember? ” 

“ Turn your thoughts to devotion, daughter. It will 
bring to you the consolation you so sorely need. It is 
but the cowards of this earth who seek the doubtful 
refuge that death extends to them. Come with me to 
the good Father Benito; for you have long turned a 
deaf ear to his ministrations, and he will not repulse 
you, even now.” 

She gazed at him long and fixedly, her hands fumb- 
ling aimlessly at her sides, and the old disordered look 
in her staring eyes. 

“ Dear old Father Benito, of the kindly face and 
snowy hair! Yet I like him not, Lovell, he takes snuff 


MY lady’s BANNE^U 


191 

and tells truths! And must I to him? Nay, nay, I 
will stay without, here, and weep to yon moon — poor 
withered goddess of blighted lovers; for she heard him 
vow that mine eyes shone none the less sweetly. Go, 
Lovell — leave me. I would reason of this mild philos- 
opher who permits such things to be.” 

I beseech you, my lady, to come with me to the 
castle.” 

‘‘ I charge you with equal solemness, Sehor Lovell, 
to remain, and watch by the side of my sleeping love. 
Listen to me, old friend,” she suddenly added coax- 
ingly, and dropping her voice to the unearthly wiiisper 
that had at first so shocked him, '' I will promise you 
not to return to your abode. That is your fear, is it 
not? Then rest assured, for I will keep my word to 
you, as I did at yon window. But, in turn, you must 
leave — I will suffer no further restraint; for I am fleet 
of movement, and would fly upon the wings of night 
to do — the thing you would not have me do. Have a 
care, amigo mio! I am pained of head beyond toler- 
ance, and would stoutly resist this further cruelty.” 

And you will return to the castle, my lady? ” 

'' Possibly, my friend,” she replied with a vacant 
smile, rendered all the more uncanny by the persistent 
whisper that preceded it. I will try. I did not 
promise you that. You will now leave me. Yes? ” 
With a look of unutterable sorrow at the poor half- 
demented creature, still so beautiful in all her misery. 


192 


MY lady's banner. 


and yet preserving a remnant of that audacity of pur- 
pose that contributed so much to it, he turned reluc- 
tantly from her, and made his way homewards. Scarce- 
ly had he disappeared in the intricacies of the forest 
path than with a loud hysterical peal of laughter she 
darted back into the thicket, and with hands gesticulat- 
ing wildly at the moon, and crooning snatches of in- 
coherent song, she proceeded, regardless of thorn and 
briar, in a circle through the forest, having for its cen- 
tre the hovel in which the unconscious cause of all her 
woes lay peacefully sleeping. 

^ sj« * Jj« 

And all throughout that long bright night and unto 
the verge of dawn did she continue those weirdful 
peregrinations, seldom appearing on the high road, as 
though she feared her searching attendants, whose 
voices she had ofttimes heard, might recognize her, 
and deter her from the one object for which she had 
so persistently stayed. And now, as the cold moon 
faded down to westward, and the chilling winds of the 
dawn arose, she lay in a crouching position by the 
roadside in a plight that was pitiable in the extreme, 
waiting and watching eagerly for some movement in 
the adjoining forest path. 

Hark! a foot-fall! — they are coming! 

She rises to her feet agitatedly, every joint in pain, 
and the fierce throb of fever in her veins, and gazes 
with starting eyes at the three figures emerging into 


HY lady’s banner. 


193 


the clear morning air, and now moving slowly up the 
highway from her. 

‘‘They are going! See, Lovell supports him, and 
the girl beside him holds his hand! Oh, that he would 
turn, that I may once more look upon his face! They 
are now on the hillside, and will have soon disappeared 
— Madre do Dios ! — and for ever! Evelyn, look but 
once upon me — I who have done you so great a wrong, 
and who have suffered so bitterly for it! ” She holds 
out her arms imploringly in their direction, as she goes 
out into the road the better to follow their every move- 
ment. “He heeds me not! They have reached the 
hilltop, and Lovell, having bidden them farewell, re- 
turns! The sun has touched her hair with gold — they 
are going! Not one look, no pitying thought for her 
whose unbounded love was her own undoing! Ah! he 
turns — yet sees me not! Evelyn — Evelyn — farewell, 
my love ! ” 

And with the wild cry ringing in the air with a 
terrible distinctness the two distant figures vanish 
under the hillside as mysteriously as they have come, 
and she sinks to the ground in a profound swoon. 


194 


MY LADY S BANNER. 


CHAPTER XVII. 

A REVOLUTION GONE TO PIECES. 

It was summer in Luchon, nestled in the heart of 
the Pyrenees. The sun was shining unimpeded by a 
single cloud upon this beautiful watering-place, to 
which not only the aged and the invalid journey for 
health, but the young and the strong come for the 
frivolities, flirtations, and perchance the even more 
fervid liasons of Les Bagnhes. 

The little town sits in a cup of green surrounded by 
high mountains. The pretty Pique River running past 
it is here joined by the smaller rivulet, the One, The 
valley, of course, is French, but is flanked immediately 
to the east by that spur of old Catalonia called Lerida, 
which seems to place Spain and , France closer to- 
gether at this point than at any of the passes which 
run over the rocky cliffs and through the precipitous 
gorges of the Pyrenees, giving the contrabandista, the 
smuggler, and the bandit the chances of fat pickings, 
devil-may-care existence, and at times even romantic 
adventure. 

Immediately to the south of the little valley is the 


MY lady’s banner. 


195 


Maladetta Mountain, named “ the Accursed,” from its 
frightful precipices, barren rocks, and sterile and in- 
hospitable grandeur, the monarch of the Pyrenees. 
But this is just in Spain, and is hidden from the view 
of the merry loungers in the pretty allces and shaded 
gardens of alluring Luchon, by nearer peaks and 
precipices. 

This town, nestled between its great mountains and 
confined between its two little rivers, is this morning 
as beautiful as it has ever been in its existence, and 
Luchon has had many lovely days from the time the 
old Romans knew the virtue of its baths until the 
present day, when invalids from the world over visit its 
warm springs to regain lost health. 

Though the great bath-house, with its numerous 
marble columns and pretty architecture, was full this 
morning, not only of invalids, but of pleasure-seekers, 
who, aflfected the waters as almost a matter of recrea- 
tion, there was no lighter-hearted party than the one 
gathered about the iron spring some three hundred 
yards further up the valley. The bright colors in the 
light dresses of the ladies made brilliant contrast with 
the fashionable summer costumes of the gentlemen. 
The bearing of the whole party was that of citizens of 
the world, people equally at home on the piazza of 
Shepherd’s Hotel, Cairo, the boulevards of Paris, 
Hyde Park, London, or Broadway, New York. 

Still, this morning the faces of all had a vivacity 


19 ^ my lady's banner. 

and an excitement that is rather uncommon to the 
languid denizens of this Continental lounging-place. 
One of the ladies especially seemed not only to be 
excited, but nervous, for she was glancing anxiously 
up the little road that leads down the valley from the 
Castel Vieil, which caps the mouth of the gorge to the 
south. 

In the last ten minutes you have looked towards 
Spain ten times. Lady Severne," remarked the Hon- 
ourable Cecil Commairs, an English M.P. 

Lord Severne is in Spain, and Marion has only 
been married tv/o years," interjected this gentleman's 
wife. 

''Ah, and we have been married four, eh, Alice?" 
laughed her husband. " You, I presume, would gaze 
towards the north from which the railroad brings many 
gallants." 

" But I," remarked Lady Severne " look towards 

the south." To this she added nervously: " Wouldn't 

\ 

you gaze towards Spain, Alice, if your husband had in- 
sisted upon riding to the Pic J’ Entecade to get a good 
view of the Maladetta, despite your suggestions that 
this Carlist uprising had unsettled the whole Spanish 
frontier? " 

" Pooh, my dear Lady Severne," remarked little 
Peregrine Harcodrt, of the British Legation, Paris, 
" it's only a mile or two over the border to the Pic, 
don't you know, and these beastly conspirators will 


MY lady’s banner. 


197 


think twice before they stop an English subject, I 
assure you.” 

To this Lady Severne did not answer. She had 
wandered a few steps from the party, and had her field 
glass once more to her pretty eyes, searching anxiously 
the little road leading down from the Castel Vieil. 

You don’t think there is any danger here?” fal- 
tered Alice Commairs nervously. You know just 
over those mountains,” she points to the East, not 
six miles away, is the Vallee d’Aran, that was so fear- 
fully ravaged during the last Carlist war.” 

'' Nonsense! ” interjected her husband. Don’t you 
know the French have a company of trailleurs at the 
Port de Venasque and a battery of mountain artillery 
on the ridge over there. Any bloodthirsty followers of 
Don Carlos crossing this frontier will be immediately 
disarmed.” 

“ Hush, stop talking about bloodthirsty Carlist 
bravos, Cecil,” whispered his wife. Don’t you know 
that Marion, since she had that romantic adventure 
with a portion of Don Carlos’ followers in the castle in 
Cornwall, is rather nervous about the order.” 

‘‘ Yes, rumour had it that young Evelyn had nearly 
been carried off by the head vixen of the gang, that 
Doha Rufina, the young widow of old eccentric Lord 
Diarrogh,” returned little Harcourt, who, like many 
little men, assumed to know everything. “ But there 
wasn’t a great deal said about the matter then. Young 


198 


MY lady’s banner. 


Darley was only young Darley, his two cousins hadn’t 
conveniently kicked the bucket, and he wasn’t Vis- 
count Severne, by Jove! ” 

But this is broken in upon by a joyous cry: My 
husband! I see him. He is galloping so fast, the 
guide is left behind. He must see me! Evelyn!” 
Marion calls hastily, Evelyn ! ” and waves her hand- 
kerchief to a flying cavalier. 

Three minutes after, springing from a reeking steed, 
a young Englishman had a young English wife in his 
arms, and careless of company and criticism, was kiss- 
ing a pair of lips as red as cherries and as eager as a 
bride’s for salute. 

His wife’s kiss seemed to reward the young gentle- 
man for the hurried and reckless ride he had taken 
down the mountain path. These two were still lov- 
ers. Fortune had been kind to them. Wealth and title 
had come to them in the two years of their married 
life, for Evelyn’s cousin. Viscount Severne, had died in 
his bed of old age, and the intermediate cousin had 
fallen leading his company against the hill tribes in 
northern India, and the offspring of the Lincolnshire 
agriculturist had come into the Severne estates and 
title, and with it the social distinction that always ap- 
pertains to a grand old English Viscounty — a good 
old English estate, and a very large balance at one’s 
bankers. 

But neither the abstractions of political life nor Lon- 


MY lady’s banner. 


199 


don gaiety brought to him by this stroke of worldly 
luck had changed the love of Evelyn Barley for sweet 
Marion Wilton, and she returned his affection with all 
that trusting faith which had been scarcely disturbed 
by the episode in the Cornish castle, and which had 
been more than entirely renewed when he placed the 
wedding ring upon her finger in the little church in 
the pretty hamlet of Copley on the Lincolnshire fens. 

The two years of married life have only added to 
Marion’s beauty. The bud has only expanded a lit- 
tle; the graceful lines of her figure are a little fuller; 
there is a little more soul, if possible, in the sweet blue 
eyes; as she stands by her husband’s side there is no 
prettier young matron in all Luchon than Marion, 
Lady Severne. 

Her dress, made by some modiste who is so great 
that he can affect simplicity, only emphasizes it. The 
light muslins of her robe, the bright sash of ribbon that 
gives color to it, make her look still a girl. 

As his guide, an honest-faced native, rode away 
with the horses, to him she murmured sweetly, a trace 
of agitation in her manner: ''You — you saw nothing 
of the war across in Spain? ” 

" Nothing more savage than a shepherd’s dog who 
resented my intrusion on his flock,” returned her hus- 
band, " and that, I believe, was in France, as we had 
not passed the Hospice. In fact, Jacques, who is a 
wary old guide, refused to accompany me across the 


200 


MY lady’s banner. 


Spanish border. He had seen too much blood-letting 
over there in ’76, he said. But why did you ask, 
Mabs?” 

“ You know why, darling,” whispered his wife. 
'' Though this is as beautiful as any spot on earth, and 
our stay here has been in dreamland, still we seem so 
near to civil war, and I — I can never forget our meet- 
ing when we w^ere almost boy and girl, with ” 

“ Beautiful Doha Rufina,” laughed her husband, as 
he closed her mouth with a kiss. 

A moment after Cecil Commairs strolls over to them 
and remarks : I suppose, Severne, we might as well 
step down to the baths. We have been waiting for you 
for an hour, doing the jardin Anglais to kill time. 
Lady Severne, Alice has been beckoning to you for the 
last three minutes.” 

‘‘ Very well, I am coming,” answered Marion. We 
might as well all go to the baths. I suppose you don’t 
care for any more exercise this morning? ” She looks 
archly at her husband. 

Yes, a bath for other than hygienic purposes would 
be about the right thing for me, I think,” smiled 
Evelyn, brushing off a moiety of the dust that cov- 
ered his riding suit. 

Wait for me; I am coming, Alice! ” cries Marion, 
and running to her friend, she takes her arm, and whis- 
pers: '' Now that my husband has returned to me, I can 
listen to your description of your costume for the 


MY lady’s banner. 


201 


fancy dress ball at Pau next week like a senseless, friv- 
olous, everyday woman.” 

So the ladies tripping together in advance, the 
whole party ramble down the little path to the Etab- 
lissement-Thermal, though one or two of them look 
longingly at the zig-zag paths runnirrg up the hill- 
sides that, shaded by the great beach-trees, look so 
cool and pleasant this sultry day. 

As they walk the three gentlemen go into a little 
conversation. Your wife seemed rather anxious for 
you, old man,” remarks the Honourable Cecil. 

Ah, yes, bless her heart,” cries her young hus- 
band. Mabs doesn’t care for civil war, and ” 

And has rather a horror of Carlists in particular,” 
laughs Harcourt. By-the-bye, they say that this up- 
rising is a woman’s war.” 

“A woman’s war? ” ejaculate both his friends. 

Yes, I am told that a chieftainess heads this last 
rising of the faithful followers of Don Carlos. There’s 
the new woman for you, in her glory. But she hasn’t 
made a first-rate job. Her peasants fight for her and 
die for her, as if she were the Maid of Orleans — but 
she started the affair a little prematurely. Went off in 
a half-cocked, sentimental, emotional, female sort of 
way, and now the revolution has gone to pieces — ex- 
cept for the butchering — killing — last stand — die in 
the ditch that these Carlist outbreaks always finish 
up with,” drawls the little diplomatist. 


202 


MY lady’s banner. 


CHAPTER XVIII. 

SWEET, INNOCENT LITTLE MERCEDES. 

By this time the whole party have entered the Salle 
des Pas Perdus, and are registering their names in the 
book for bathers. 

A moment later they take their ways to their dif- 
ferent apartments, though Evelyn, as he strolled to his 
bath, had a curious look on his countenance. For 
among the many loungers and lookers-on that make 
picturesque the Salle des Bains, he has caught sight of 
a face that brings back to him a memory. A pair of 
beady jet eyes that flash in an eerie, baneful beauty 
seem to recall to him the Castle of Tarnworth and 
his curious adventures in those ancient halls. He has 
but a fleeting opportunity, and that distantly, to view 
the small yet clear-cut Andalusian features and the 
jealous pouting mouth; but as he plunges into the 
sulphur water, he mutters to himself: Could that have 
been Dona Mercedes del Monte?” 

Immediately after his ablutions this thought was 
once more impressed upon him. As he and his wife 
strolled out of the Etablissement-Thermal, lingering 


MY lady's banner. 


203 


under the marble columns of the portico to pass the 
words of the morning with languid acquaintances, 
they were joined by a French gentleman, Monsieur 
Rafael Simon, a leading operator on the Paris Bourse, 
who was very happy to claim friendship with the Eng- 
lish Viscount and his beautiful wife. 

'' You rode up towards the Spanish frontier to-day. 
Lord Severne,” he said, after greeting them. ‘‘ Did you 
see anything of the insurrection? " 

** As much as I wanted to of it," replied tthe young 
Englishman. 

‘‘And what was that?" 

“ A company of French troops guarding the pass, 
a mountain battery loaded and ready for action." 

“ Which is enough to make me wish to leave here," 
interjected Marion, with a little piquant shudder. To 
this she added, half pleadingly, “ Besides, we posi- 
tively must spend a few days in Paris. I have a dress- 
maker to whom I must give a little time before return- 
ing to London." 

“ Ah, in that case. Lord Severne," said the French 
stock operator, “ your visit to Paris will be an expen- 
sive one;" then he goes half laughingly on: “I can 
give you a hint so as to make a few thousand francs 
which your lady can spend in new dresses. Buy Span- 
ish bonds." 

“ What, with this Carlist outbreak? " 

“ The Carlist outbreak is only a little emeute; just to 


204 


MY lady’s banner. 


influence the Cortes to appoint the right man prime 
minister. It is the uprising of a wild woman, and they 
say only one district answered her call. They are al- 
ready practically suppressed. It only took a couple of 
regiments of infantry to do it.” 

The Frenchman leads Evelyn a little to one side, 
which is easy, as Lady Severne is in conversation now 
with Mrs. Commairs and one or two other compa- 
triots, and whispers to him: ''According to my infor- 
mation, which I know is accurate, this uprising is a 
bubble. This little revolution has already gone to 
pieces. Spanish securities, which are very low, must 
react. Telegraph your brokers to buy a moderate 
amount to-day, and sell — say three days from now, and 
my lady can be extravagant without costing you any- 
thing.” 

"You are sure of this?” asked Evelyn, who, like 
most Englishmen, is not above turning an honest 
penny. 

" Certainly! I got it this very day first hand from 
Senor Diego Suarez, a hanger-on of the Carlist party. 
In fact, I imagine he is one of the spies they have even 
now about this portion of the country.” 

" Suarez?” whispered Evelyn. 

"Yes, an artist, I believe, by profession; married 
to a pretty little Spanish girl named Mercedes; a fel- 
low of no worth in the world, who has been connected 
with half a hundred shady transactions, but one who, 


MY LADY S BANNER. 


205 


I am sure, dare not deceive me. To tell the truth, 
I imagine even now he is playing for both parties in 
this matter, the Spanish Government and Don Carlos 
at the same time. But my information about Spanish 
bonds I think we may be sure of.’’ 

Thank you,” replied Evelyn, I will consider the 
matter,” and turned to his wife, a little shadow of con- 
cern upon his face. He knows now the beady eyes 
and piquant jealous Spanish features he saw in the 
Salle des Bains were those of Doha Mercedes del 
Monte. Who has now become,” he chuckles to him- 
self, the wife of my rival in the affections of Doha 
Rufina.” 

Still, the presence of these two Spanish adventurers 
makes him anxious to take his wife from Luchon. He 
knows that any encounter with these people, or any 
memory of the eventful days they passed as semi-pris- 
oners in Tarnworth Castle, even now agitates his pretty 
spouse. 

So after they have sauntered under the shade of the 
luxuriant lime trees to the Hotel de Londres, he is 
rather pleased to find awaiting him a blue telegram 
from his solicitor, which requests his immediate pres- 
ence in London on some rather important private 
business. 

Here is his excuse for hurried departure without tell- 
ing Marion the real reason, and the husband remarks 
to his wife in the seclusion of their salon: '' Mabs, sup- 


2o6 


MY lady's banner. 


posing we go into the great world again. Two days 
will place us in Paris, where you can get a lot of new 
dresses, though I must confess you don't seem to be 
very badly robed even now." He looks admiringly 
upon the dainty figure of Lady Severne, who is gowned 
in some pretty little creation of Pingat, which makes 
her beauty ethereal. 

'‘You wish to leave here?" says his wife eagerly. 
" So do I. Evelyn, ever since we have heard of these 
Carlists I have been anxious to get away from the 
Spanish border." 

"Very well, my dear; then we will do so at once, 
and do it in a very pretty manner. By this after- 
noon's train I will send down Estelle and Jack- 
son. They will have rooms prepared for us at 
the Hotel de France, St. Gaudens; I know the 
proprietor. An old-fashioned inn, but he will make 
everything very comfortable for us this evening. Then 
we will drive down the valley of the Pique together, 
Spanish mules and outriders and tete-a-tete, a little 
souvenir of our honeymoon which we passed so joy- 
ously together in the Tyrol. The rriountains will be 
the same, the boy and girl the same " 

" The love the same! " cries his wife, throwing her- 
self into his arms, and kissing him in a way that tells 
him her lips are as true as her words. 

" Very well, my dear. While you order lunch Pll 
make our preparations," remarks Evelyn, and light- 


MY LADY S BANNER. 


207 


ing a cigar, he goes out and gives orders for a private 
equipage to take him and his wife to St. Gaudens; tells 
his man to pack his trunks, and his wife’s maid to get 
her mistress’s impedimenta together and take them 
on this afternoon’s train to St. Gaudens. There 
make arrangement for me, Jackson,” he says to his 
valet, ‘‘ at the Hotel de France. Prevost, the maitre 
dlwtely will remember me.” 

These directions being given, he strolled in to a 
tete-a-tele luncheon with his wife, where he said: 
‘‘ Mabs, as soon as the heat of the day has gone we 
start, dear. You had better get into your travelling 
dress at once. We will leave not later than four 
o’clock,” and thought that he had arranged for him- 
self a very pleasant afternoon. 

But the departure of a great English milord ” from 
a French watering-place is not made secretly. The 
preparation of a lumbering old coach, witlf its four 
Spanish mules and their jingling bells, is a matter of 
“ much ado ” at the stables. Mr. Jackson, my lord’s 
valet, walks about giving his directions to Boots and 
Porter. Mademoiselle Estelle, my lady’s maid, has to 
bid adieu to a number of other ladies’ maids, with 
many kisses and much gossip. 

So this news chances to come to a half-Italian gen- 
tleman by the name of Suarez and his wife Mercedes, 
nk del Monte, who are occupying a small and very 
modest apartment just under the eaves of the same 


2o8 


MY lady's BANNEJL 


'' They are going, these grand English people, who 
are now so luxurious and so happy," said Mercedes, 
between the whiffs of a cigarette smoked with Spanish 
grace. You have heard them order their coach and 
four; these people, Diego, who have brought to us our 
great unhappiness." 

''Yes," snarled her husband, "they who prevented 
me from wedding the beautiful Doha Rufina, and you 
from marrying the opulent and aristocratic Don Do- 
mingo, and forced us to a most uncongenial union, my 
unpleasant little spouse." 

" Pha, you once thought me beautiful," rejoined 
Mercedes, tapping angrily one little foot in its piquant 
red slipper upon the floor. " During our honeymoon 
you painted me for a Madonna." 

^'Sapristi, that was before I had spent all your wed- 
ding dower, mi querida ! " 

''Diablo, you mean that was before I had made you 
jealous," laughed his wife, and puffed a blue wreath 
from between her coral yet cruel lips. 

" Ah, caramba, but we have made things warm for 
one another," purred his sweet little lady, jeeringly. 
" Now let us make it warm for these people whom I 
hate, and have cause to whenever I look upon you." 

" Across the border they might not be so comfort- 
able," sneered Suarez, meditatively, perchance anx- 
ious to take vindictive Mercedes' attention from him- 
self." 


MY lady’s BANNJER, 


209 


‘‘ Yes, in the hands of the contrabandists, amid 
the smoke of burning villages and the shots from 
Mauser rifles, they would not be so very happy,” 
laughed the girl; then her tone became serious and 
savage. I — you know I am such a born conspirator, 
Diego — I think I can arrange this matter as we have 
arranged all our other matters, so that whatever hap- 
pens we are on the right side of the hedge. As it is 
now whether Don Carlos succeeds or the government 
of Don Alfonso remains in power, we have our bread 
not only buttered, but sufficient garlic to flavor it with. 
I have — but perhaps you had better do this matter — 
to give a hint to old Pepe Tomas, who will ride as pos- 
tilion, that my lady carries with her her big, sparkling 
diamonds, anct that my lord’s ransom will be a large 
one, and Pepe will forget that he is now an honest 
postilion and only remember that he was once the 
most famous bandit in the Pyrenees. He will imme- 
diately go back to his old tricks, and my lord and my 
lady may not have so pleasant a jaunt this afternoon 
as they expect.” 

Spoken like my own darling wife,” replied her hus- 
band. ‘‘Though you have forgotten one thing: that 
we should tell Pepe that there is honour among thieves, 
and that if the diamonds and ransom are large, we 
should have our moiety of it.” 

“ Yes, my dear, you never forget anything,” replied 
his spouse, as she tossed her pretty little head about. 


210 


yiY LADY S BANNER. 


and waved her Castilian curls in the air. You are 
so brilliant, I think I will kiss you, Diego.’’ 

“You will not bite me?” muttered her lord and 
master, warily. 

“ For Dios, I will only kiss you — this time.” 

“ Then, cara esposa, I will permit you the luxury.” 

'^Diablo, is that an insult? Have I not warned you 
that if you dare to insinuate that I like your kisses bet- 
ter than you like mine, my jealous heart will some day 
compel me to — but I’ll not threaten. It’s surer not to 
talk but to stab,” continues the lady, philosophically. 
“ You know I have a little way with me, and that it is 
not England now where I would be tried and perchance 
hung by the neck; but in the wild Pyrenees, where 
an assassination or two during a Carlist outbreak will 
not be thought of much. That is what will make us 
safe, if anything happens to the English lord and lady. 
Now, don’t forget to tell old Pepe Tomas about the di- 
amonds, mi adorato. Remind him of the days of yore, 
when a man’s life wasn’t worth more than a sequin in 
these passes. Bring back to him the glorious past, and 
Pepe will do our work for us with good cheer, an 
honest heart, and many prayers to the Virgin. Adios, 
caballeroF And the lady sent her husband away upon 
an errand that was not exactly Puritanical, but one that 
he did with the subtle art of an Italian conspirator who 
had been born of a Carbonari mother and an Anda- 
lusian father. 


MY lady’s banner. 


21 1 


CHAPTER XIX. 

PEPE TOMAS REMEMBERS HE WAS ONCE A BANDIT. 

Thus it happened that about four o’clock in the after- 
noon, with much jingling of silver bells, stamping of 
mules and cracking of whip, and many wavings of 
handkerchiefs from assembled guests, Evelyn, Lord 
Severne, and his beautiful wife, thinking that they were 
going to an outing as happy as a honeymoon, drove 
down the long green lime-shaded Allee d’Epigny, and 
crossing the One, with beautiful Luchon behind them, 
proceeded down the valley of the Pique towards the 
sun-dried plains of Languedoc. 

‘'Isn’t this romantic?” remarked the beautiful girl 
in the retirement of the large Spanish coach, cushioned 
in Cordova leather, and swung on heavy old-fashioned 
springs that vibrated at each rut in the road. 

“ Oh, yes, and decidedly ancient,” suggested his 
lordship. “ About as old as the times of the Cid and 
the Pass of Roncesvalles.” 

“ Yes, our postilion looks old enough to have fought 
the Moors,” laughed the lady, as she gazed upon the 
heavy spurred individual, who, mounted upon one of 


: 12 


MY lady's banner. 


the mules and guiding the other three, was rattling 
them down the valley. 

Old Pepe Tomas was worthy of her admiration from 
a picturesque point of view, if from no other. This 
ancient gentleman of the Spanish border, originally 
contrabandista, had graduated into a bandit; but, re- 
forming as the world became more modern, had 
changed into a postilion in his old age. He had one 
of those honest faces that are often seen at their best 
in the Pyrenees, that dogged open look v/hich says: 

At times I use the knife and am not ashamed of it, for 
I do it after the manner of my father before me." That 
same expression that in Corsica makes a vendetta not 
only humane, but noble; that same cast of countenance 
which in the American Indian says: '^Torturing ene- 
mies is the right of man; scalping opponents is the’ 
honour of a warrior; " not a pleasant expression to see 
to outsiders in general, but still one that makes many 
ruffians' consciences easy and their minds at times al- 
most clerical. 

But the gentle English lady does not appreciate this. 
To her Pepe has an honest face. So has a bulldog. 
The romantic appearance of the weazened old fellow 
appealed to Lady Severne as the ancient postilion with 
a bright sarape over his shoulders, and high Spanish 
boots adorned with heavy long roweled spurs, and a 
bright red necktie bound about his swarthy, sinewy, 
yet attenuated neck, turned about in his high peaked 


MY LADY S BANNER. 


213 


saddle and brought his deep eyes to bear upon her and 
smiled gently at the beauty of the lady under his 
charge, a lady about whom he has some curious 
thoughts as he looks at the little travelling satchel 
swung over her graceful shoulder and dangling against 
her travelling costume of light blue baptiste cloth. 
Pepe's eyes, however, light up with a little greater 
animation and more subtle fire as they catch sight of 
the athletic young Englishman, who in white flannels 
and straw hat, is making himself very comfortable this 
day beside his beautiful wife. 

So they go rumbling, rather slowly at times, down 
the valley, and everything seems well with them until 
about five o’clock Marion suddenly cries: ^'We have 
stopped! ” 

And her husband, putting his head out of the car- 
riage window, shouts: ^‘Postilion, what is the mat- 
ter? ” 

Oh, nothing, caballero'^ replies Pepe, who is ex- 
amining one of the hoofs of his leading mule. Only 
this animal has cast a shoe and gone lame. Pll walk 
my team gently down the road. There is a smithy 
nearby, some half hour ahead of us if we walk quickly, 
where a new iron can be put upon the heel of this 
animal, and all will be well once more.” 

‘‘Will it delay us very much?” asks Lady Severne, 
a little anxiety in her tone. 

“ No, Dona, it will delay but little. What matters 


214 


MY lady's banner. 


it whether we arrive at St. Gaudens at eight o'clock or 
at nine o'clock. That is little. The bed will still be 
there; the supper will still be waiting for you, and for 
me. Besides, my motto is ' trust in the Virgin." She 
will never desert one who believes in her," and the 
muleteer clucks to his team, and they slowly go down 
the valley again. 

But arriving at the smithy, the smith insists upon 
shoeing all the mules. It is his chance of a great job, 
and he is not going to miss it, and in his honest Py- 
renees fashion, this worthy proceeds to make hay while 
the sun shines. 

So it is all of an hour before they leave the black- 
smith, who insists upon payment before he permits 
them to depart, though he bows to the earth as he 
finds his hands full of silver five-franc pieces the Eng- 
lishman has placed in them. 

Then they go lumbering on again, but it is nearly 
dark now, and the rocks, the cliffs, and the beach-trees 
and the firs on the higher mountains throw long shad- 
ows which gradually become no shadows, for dark- 
ness is upon them. 

But the road seems good enough for a mountain one 
and Evelyn, finding his wife drowsy from the heat of 
the day, permits her to sink comfortably to rest, laying 
her fair head trustingly on his shoulder. 

So they rumble on. Then he goes to sleep, and still 
they rumble on; even if he knew the road he would 


MY lady’s banner. 


215 


probably not discover that they had left the direct one 
to St. Gaudens, but had turned to the east, and passing 
by St. Beat, have turned up the little river Aran that 
runs down from the Spanish valley, and from going 
north were now going to the south. 

But about twelve o’clock in the night, for the road 
is now becoming very rocky and rutty, and from a well 
travelled one is degenerating into almost a mountain 
path, Evelyn wakes up and says to his wife: Mabs, 
we must be getting near to St. Gaudens now.” 

‘‘What makes you think that?” she whispers, 
sleepily. 

“ My stomach ; I am very hungry. I wonder what 
time it is?” Pulling out his match-box, he strikes 
a light, looks at his watch, and ejaculates: “Great 
thunder! ” 

“ What’s the matter, dear? ” 

“ Why, it’s twelve o’clock, and we are not at St. 
Gaudens.” Putting his head out of the carriage win- 
dow the Englishman sees nothing. Darkness is about 
him as they lumber on, though he can hear the ripple 
of a stream, which is apparently a torrrent rushing over 
boulders. 

“ Ahoy there, Pepe! ” he cries, for he has learnt the 
postilion’s name. 

“ Ay, Sehor,” comes the answer in the darkness. 

“How far are we from St. Gaudens?” 

“ About ten miles yet, your honor.” 


2i6 


MY lady’s banner. 


‘'We must have travelled very slowly.” 

“ The smith made a very bad job of the shoeing. 
Another mule has cast an iron. I thought it best not 
to tell you as it might add to your impatience, Sehor. 
Trust to Pepe, and you will be in St. Gaudens within 
three hours.” 

“ Not till three o’clock, Evelyn,” ejaculates a pretty 
voice in the darkness. “ Three o’clock, and I am so 
hungry.” 

“ Never mind, we will sleep it off, darling.” And 
the husband, in trying to compose his wife, grows quiet 
himself, and goes to sleep again, as the carriage goes 
rumbling on. 

But in two hours and a half more the Englishman 
wakes again, for the wheel has struck a terrible rut, 
and thrown him forward, and the vehicle is now appar- 
ently climbing up a precipice judging by the angle of 
the carriage and the cries of the muleteer. On this 
Evelyn shouts: “We should be in a level country; 
what kind of a road is it? ” 

“ A side track, caballero, that cuts off the distance. 
We will be at our destination in an hour more at the 
latest.” 

But the Englishman’s appetite keeps him from sleep- 
ing further, and he consoles himself with a cigar, and is 
rather astonished to discover that the road grows worse 
instead of better, if possible. 

Then the carriage suddenly comes to a stop. He 


MY lady’s banner. 


217 


puts his head out of the window and shouts into the 
darkness: What is the matter now? ” 

A trace broken, caballero. Trust in the Virgin.” 
ril never forgive the landlord of the hotel for giv- 
ing me such a rig to travel in,” mutters the outraged 
tourist. 

Then he leans back and hears apparently something 
done with the mules; probably Pepe is repairing the 
damage. A few moments after, catching some rapid 
movement of animals, the Englishman puts his head 
out of the coach window, calls again, and gets no 
answer. 

‘‘ Where the dickens are you? ” he cries. 

To this there was no reply. 

A moment after, not alarmed, but somewhat mys- 
tified, the young Englishman springs out of the car- 
riage. As far as he can tell in the darkness by grop- 
ing about the vehicle is in a little mountain path. The 
deep shades that come over him show he is in a gorge. 
The wild rush of a stream that comes down in little 
waterfalls, its waters white even in the gloom, tells him 
that it is a mountain torrent. He puts his hand into 
the cold water to get a drink; then starts and mutters: 

Curious, all the rivers flow towards the plains and St. 
Gaudens. By the way we have been travelling, and the 
run of this stream, we have been going up the moun- 
tains, not down them. Has our postilion made himself 
drunk with aguardiente while we have been asleep? ” 


MY lady's banner. 


2 I 8 

But here a little voice calls him: Evelyn! " 

He goes to his wife and she says to him: Are we 
not yet at St. Gaudens? " 

No, my dear." 

Where are we? " 

'' Hanged if I know." 

Where is Pepe? " 

He has probably gone for assistance," answers 
Evelyn. 

Oh, my, we are alone in this wild place." 

'' Yes, my darling, but that does not matter; I am 
with you," says the Englishman, cheerily, though just 
the same he wishes he were an American, one of that 
kind of travelling individuals who always carry a heavy 
six-shooting Colt's revolver. 

This conversation is interrupted by a hoarse chal- 
lenge which rolls up the ravine: ''Halt! Who goes 
there? Answer, or we fire!" To the astonishment 
of the Englishman, it is in Spanish. 

"Hold! We are English travellers belated in the 
road," cries Evelyn. " Whoever you are, don't shoot, 
for God's sake! My wife is here! " 

" That's a likely story, Sehor," says an honest, hearty 
voice, as the young man and his astonished wife find 
themselves surrounded by a patrol of sturdy peasants, 
whose repeating rifles show they are armed for 
regular combat. They are headed by a young lieu- 
tenant, who sternly orders: " Surrender! Make one 


MY lady’s banner. 


219 


move, and you die! ” Then advancing to them with a 
cocked revolver and drawn sabre in his hand, he de- 
mands: Your name and business here, Sehor? ” 

‘‘ I am Lord Severne, an English nobleman. This 
lady is my wife,” replies Evelyn, in angry tones. We 
have had an accident to our travelling carriage. Dare 
to molest us, and I shall report you to the mayor of 
the arrondisment, and demand your punishment from 
the French Government.” 

‘^The French Government,” laughs the young of- 
ficer. ‘‘ You are past the Spanish border by two good 
leagues.” 

‘'Past the Spanish border? Impossible! I was 
driving to St. Gaudens from Luchon.” 

“ You are now in the very heart of the Tentenade 
Montes, bordering on the Val d’Aran. How you 
passed the Pont du Roi without being stopped by the 
French guard on the frontier exceeds the compre- 
hension of a Spanish gentleman. Valdez,” he speaks 
to a villager who apparently acts as sergeant, “ keep 
good watch on this gentleman till he explains this very 
extraordinary story.” 

A clicking of gun locks startles Marion; she cries 
nervously from the carriage: “ But it is true, sir. We 
went to sleep in the coach and found ourselves here.” 

“ And then that infernal Pepe, the postilion, took 
away the mules. He has probably gone for assist- 
ance,” breaks in Evelyn. 


220 


MY LADY S BANNER. 


Let me see your passports.’' 

'' By what right do you demand them? Who are 
you?” 

'' Soldiers of Don Carlos, patrolling these mountains 
under orders to arrest spies. Your passports, if you 
have them, Sehor.” 

'' Certainly,” replies the Englishman, philosophic- 
ally. He produces his documents, and lights a few 
matches from his box, their uncertain illumination 
assisting the Spanish officer to make hasty examina- 
tion. 

These seem to be correct, Senor, as well as I can 
judge,” says the Lieutenant. '' Now, permit me to 
ask your story.” 

Thus requested. Lord Severne tells him his tale, 
which is punctuated once or twice by the soft voice of 
his wife giving additional details. 

As the Englishman closes, the Carlist lieutenant 
breaks in: '‘You say Pepe the muleteer has played 
this trick upon you. You mean Pepe Tomas?” 

" Yes, that’s his name,” cries Marion, eagerly. 

“ Pepe the muleteer; Pepe Tomas,” ejaculates the 
Spaniard. " Dios, that’s how you passed the Pont du 
Roi. The scoundrel knows every bypath in the moun- 
tains. Caspita, he has gone back to his old trade, that 
is all. Pepe was a bandit when I was a child. I have 
heard my mother tell of him, the cruelest cut-throat 
m the Pyrenees.” 


MY lady’s banner. 


221 


Oh, Evelyn, if these gentlemen hadn’t come to 
save us,” falters Lady Severne. 

‘‘ Pepe has gone for assistance you say, my lord 
Ingles/' laughs the Carlist lieutenant. ‘^Yes, assist- 
ance to cut your throats.” 

And as if in proof of the Spaniard’s suggestion, this 
conversation is interrupted by the noise of people in 
the darkness coming down the mountain. 

Santa Maria! ” mutters the Spanish officer, these 
fellows would doubtless put their crimes on the soldiers 
of our holy cause. If it is as I guess I will teach them 
a lesson.” 

With that he gives some whispered directions to 
his men, who silently and cautiously disappear in the 
gloom. 

'' Lift your wife out of the carriage,” he whispers to 
Evelyn. '' Now call to Pepe, and see if I have not 
told you true.” 

Thus urged, Evelyn shouts: Is that you, Pepe, 
bringing assistance? ” 

Here I am, honored Sehor, with a lot of honest fel- 
lows, gracias a Dios/' is ‘the cheerful answer up the 
cliff. 

Apparently the muleteer has found someone to aid 
them, for now Lord and Lady Severne hear several 
muttered carambas and other Spanish expletives, some 
of them of such strength that Marion puts her hands to 
her pretty ears. These indicate that some of Pepe’s 


222 


MY LADY S BANNER. 


friends have stumbled in the rocky trail in the dark- 
ness. 

'' Now pick up your wife/’ whispers the Spaniard 
under his breath, and carry her across the stream, 
ril show you the way; then place her carefully be- 
hind a boulder. We will see whether these gentle- 
men are honest men or not.” 

Following the directions of the lieutenant, who 
seems to be a youth of quick judgment and rapid ac- 
tion, Evelyn lifts up the dainty form of his wife in his 
strong arms and cautiously wades across a little moun- 
tain torrent guided by the lieutenant, who has given his 
name as Don Orfelo Pachaco. 

A moment later the English lady is placed in safety 
behind a huge rock, her husband seating himself be- 
side her. 

Some minute or two after this they hear voices from 
probably half a dozen men gathered about the coach. 

Where are they, these ricos? ” cries one. 

Caramba! ” This is in Pepe’s voice. Our birds 
were here a moment ago. Have they taken a hint and 
fled? They can’t have flown far. They will never 
get out of our clutches now.” 

Then they hear him shout: Ingles, me lord, if you 
don’t come to me at once, Pll grope for you in the 
darkness and cut your throat. Cruz de Cristo! I know 
you are not armed.” Receiving no answer to this he 
shouts: Ingles me lady, if you come not here from 


MY lady’s banner. 


223 


your concealment, I’ll put a stiletto between your deli- 
cate shoulders. But if you are gentle and obedient, 
my little lamb. I’ll only take your diamonds and your 
money, not your life. Aqui at once! Pepe Tomas, 
the bandit of the Pyrenees, calls to you!” 

''Fire!” cries the lieutenant, and a rattling volley 
poured from surrounding rocks tears up the ravine 
about the bravos. If ever bandits receive surprise 
and justice at the same moment Pepe and his cut- 
throats get it now. Another volley from repeating 
rifles breaks the stillness of the night, mingled with 
curses, groans, and shrieks. Those of them not 
dead or wounded fly screaming up the mountain path 
pursued by dropping shots. Then all is silence. 

" Shall we cross the stream and finish them up, lieu- 
tenant?” asks Sergeant Valdez, eagerly. 

" No, we might lose men from the knives of the 
wounded bravos in the darkness. We have time to 
do no more. This volley may bring upon us some 
of the troops of the tyrant, who are also patrolling 
these mountains.” 

" Now, Caballero/* the young officer speaks hastily 
to Evelyn, " you and your lady must come with me to 
headquarters. It would be your only safety in any 
event, and my orders are to take everyone found in 
this district to headquarters. There are so many Al- 
fonsist spies about, m.y orders are to take every one to 
' Our Lady ’.” 


224 


MY lady’s banner. 


The reverent way in which the officer speaks the title 
makes the Englishman ask, curiously: ' Our Lady,’ 
who is she? ” 

That is her secret. You will stand face to face with 
her within the hour. My men will assist you and 
Lady Severne up the path. Please carry your wife 
again across the boulders of the stream, my lord. Move 
quickly, men! Our firing may bring down a com- 
pany or two of the Regiment of Tarragona, those 
bloodhounds of the usurper, upon us.” 


MY lady’s banner. 


225 


CHAPTER XX. 

THE PASS IN THE PYRENEES. 

The grey light of morning had been coming over 
the mountains for a little time. In an hour the sun 
would rise over the great peaks and give brightness 
and brilliancy to the foliage of the firs that top the 
higher ranges and softer green to the beach trees and 
limes and ilex that shade the lower valleys. 

By the side of a little cabin perched on a crag of 
one of the mountains flanking the pass leading to the 
Port d’Aula, beyond which dizzy defile is the French 
frontier, a party of Carlist officers, ’mid the light of an 
expiring camp-fire, are talking in the low tones of men 
to whom this day must bring a life and death crisis. 
For they are at their last stronghold, and though their 
men, undisciplined yet brave, will fight from crag to 
crag, from precipice to precipice, the forces gathering 
against them from Venasque on the west and Urgel 
dn the south, three strong regiments of Spanish in- 
fantry of the line, and a light mountain battery of rapid- 
fire guns, are strong enough to crush the few hundred 
who still uphold the Carlist banner 


226 


MY lady’s banner. 


It has been a wild outbreak, a hasty uprising. It 
has been crushed very rapidly, very cruelly. No pris- 
oners have been taken. It has been like nearly all 
Spanish wars, guerra d cuchillo; for the Iberian is no 
more merciful to a defeated brother than he is to the 
fallen of any other nation. What vanquished Spanish 
officer has ever had mercy from a Spanish court-mar- 
tial, no matter his gallantry, no matter his devotion, no 
matter the circumstances under which victory has 
turned her fickle back upon him. The cruelty of the 
bull-fight is the index of the Spanish nature when 
aroused. Generally suave, pleasant, punctilious, often 
the soul of honor, the Spaniard, when he draws his 
sword, becomes a matador. No mercy for cl toro is his 
cry in the arena; no mercy for the rebel, is his shout 
upon the battle-field. 

For Dios, Senors, it is the last of us. to-day or the 
last of them,” remarked a swarthy, but dignified gen- 
tleman, wearing the costume of a colonel in the Carl- 
ist service, '' eh, Don Urbano? ” 

If the others had but risen,” muttered the younger 
man, then to-day’s sun would see a different sight. 
But as it is my sword, my life, my all but my honor, 
belongs to my king, and she who represents him so 
nobly, so bravely; a man’s soul in the body of a beau- 
tiful woman, and yet a woman’s heart.” 

No woman’s heart when it comes to cold steel, 
Senor,” returned the elder officer. I know my sister 


MY lady’s banner. 


227 


too well to guess that she ever cares more for the life 
of an enemy than for her own; which she values as 
nothing — nothing since that awful time love nearly 
made her forget our cause but now has brought her 
back to it. You remember the Cornish castle, my 
young Urbano? ” he whispers, moodily. 

'' CiertOy she fights to forget her passion,” laughs the 
addressed, who wears a captain’s shoulder knots upon 
his blouse. And here’s her orderly.” 

The silent figure of the dumb Breconridge strides 
up the path and saluting, presents a scrap of paper to 
Don Domingo. 

‘‘ Rufina orders me to receive the reports of all 
scouting parties,” remarks that officer, glancing at the 
message by the flickering brands of the half-dead fire. 

‘‘ SantoSy our lady sleeps on the picket line again. 
Always at it, day and night,” interjects Don Urbano, 
as Breconridge disappears down the trail on his re- 
turn to his mistress at the front. 

This duty won’t trouble me long,” observes the 
Colonel. '' The patrols are all in, I think.” 

All but one; that headed by Lieutenant Pachaco. 
It ranges furthest to the west. But he is coming now,” 
says Urbano; for the young man hears the hoarse 
voice of the sentry challenging and the countersign and 
word of the night given. 

With your permission, my colonel, I think I will 
take a cat-nap or two before the morning brings the 


228 


MY LADY S BANNER. 


battle on us/’ adds Don Urbano, and saluting, strolls 
away, and wrapping himself up in his poncho, lies 
down by a neighbouring camp-fire and goes into 
slumber within the moment, for a good partisan sol- 
dier sleeps like a good watch-dog, as opportunity 
comes to him. 

I will join you, my sleepy Urbano, as soon as I 
receive the report of the patrol,” grins the senior of- 
ficer. 

A moment later Lieutenant Pachaco salutes and 
stands before him. Lord Severne resting just out of 
earshot behind him. In the gloom, as the young of- 
ficer is about to make his report, the colonel suddenly 
utters an exclamation of joy. I cannot see very well 
in the darkness,” he remarks, '' but you have captured 
a spy, my worthy lieutenant. After this man has 
answered my questions you will shoot him and throw 
him off the cliff.” 

''No spy. Colonel; an unfortunate English trav- 
eller, who with his wife, was left helpless in a moun- 
tain path by the side of his carriage, from which the 
mules had been run off by some bandits, who re- 
turned to rob them.” 

" Bandits? Pha! they were exterminated long ago. 
But a few have sprung up on account of this uprising. 
Their deeds of blood the world will attribute to us. I 
hope you exterminated the scoundrels. Lieutenant.” 

" It was impossible to pursue them in the darkness. 


MY lady's banner. 229 

We killed a few; the rest escaped in the gloom. The 
day was coming on. I dared not be away from Our 
Lady's banner when every man will be needed." 

‘‘ Quite right, Lieutenant. You say the man is Eng- 
lish. Bring him here. Where is his wife?" 

‘‘ She is resting by a campfire a little further down 
the trail. Her beauty was so delicate and her fatigue 
so great, I thought it best she should have all the care 
we could give her." 

‘‘ That is well. You say she is beautiful; some Eng- 
lish women are," murmured the colonel, and the flick- 
ering flames of the dull camp-fire seemed to give his 
eyes a faraway look. ‘‘ Direct the Englishman to 
come to me," he said sharply, as if to drive away re- 
membrance; for this conversation has been apart from 
Evelyn, who still has remained some few steps in the 
background, a couple of Carlist soldiers standing be- 
side him. 

" You may retire. Lieutenant Pachaco. Any orders 
in regard to this lady or gentleman I shall give to the 
officer of the day." 

“ Gracias, Senor, I shall have a few winks before 
death," remarks the younger man, and goes down the 
trail to join his company. 

Consequently within the next thirty seconds the 
Carlist colonel finds himself confronted by the Eng- 
lishman, and asking him, a slight tone of sus- 


230 


MY lady's banner. 


picion in his voice, how he came into the Spanish 
mountains during such troublous times. 

As young Darley speaks, the other suddenly utters 
an exclamation of surprise, picks a flaming brand from 
the embers of the fire, holds it up, and the two, 
gazing in each other's eyes, whisper at the same mo- 
ment: 

^'Don Domingo!" 

Evelyn Darley! " 

The Spaniard says: Senor, I grieve to inform you, 
you are here at an inopportune time. Permit me to 
think a moment," and takes a few strides up the little 
pathway in deep and excited meditation. 

He is here to bring back ^ Our Lady's ' agony to 
her," Don Domingo mutters, in gloomy agitation; to 
add the last stroke to the ruin that is now upon us. At 
sight of his accursed face, her passion will come to 
Rufina again. Even in this crisis of our cause the 
dead love will become alive once more; ^ Our Lady,' 
upon whom the men look as if she had victory in her 
hand, will become once more a lovesick maid. The 
sword she has wielded like a man will fall from her 
woman's hand. Our soldiers, missing their Maid of 
Saragossa, will become a panic-stricken flock of sheep 
for the shambles of our tyrant's soldiers. And then his 
wife; the lieutenant said she was beautiful as a dream 
of love. Doubtless more lovely than ever. Few of us 
will survive this day. Why should not I have two 


MY lady's banner. 


231 


or three hours of happiness with this captive God has 
given unto me ere I die." Passion surges in his 
veins. He remembers the beauty of Marion Wilton, 
and murmurs: Santa Maria! I only do this as a 
military necessity." 

Striding down the path, Don Domingo speaks has- 
tily to a soldier, asking: ‘‘Who is the officer of the 
day? " 

“ Don Fabricio del Monte," is the reply. 

“ Ah, God is helping me," thinks Don Domingo. 
“ This Englishman's scar is still upon the forehead 
of Fabricio. It has disfigured him for ever." Then 
he orders hastily: “Send the captain to me!" And 
turning, strides to his English captive, and says: “ You 
will pardon me, Senor, but I have examined your pass- 
ports; they are not good." 

“ They are perfectly good in France, and describe 
me as Lord Severne." 

“ Your name is Evelyn Darley." 

“ I have come into the title lately." 

“ A likely story. Likewise a likely tale of being 
in your sleep transported across the French frontier. 
How could that be without examination, when they 
have troops at every pass that leads from France to 
Spain. You are here for no good purpose." 

“ You know that is not true," cries Evelyn, sharply. 
“ Don Domingo, it is because you hate me." 

“ I do not hate you." 


232 


MY lady's banner. 


But Don Fabricio and the guard are now standing 
by the two men. 

'' I have no further word for a spy/’ remarks the 
colonel. 

You know that is a lie.” 

I have not time to discuss the affair. Don Fab- 
ricio! ” he whispers two or three words to the officer 
whose forehead is still marked with a deep gash of the 
old sabre given him in the halls of the Cornish castle. 

This man is a spy. As such take him to the bottom 
of the cliff and shoot him to death. We have no time 
for court-martials. The bugles will be sounding in 
half an hour the assembly. The Spanish troops are 
already probably moving from the Hospice de Paillas, 
across the valley.” 

You wish me killed? You order my death? ” gasps 
Darley, in astounded tones, 
do!” 

''God of Heaven, my wife! For this infamy you 
shall answer to the English Government.” 

" Pha, in an hour or two I shall answer to Heaven.” 

" It is because you hate me! ” 

" No, Sehor.” 

" It is because your sister loves me! ” 

" No, Senor.” 

" It is because you love my wife! ” 

" Ah, you read the riddle at last, mi amigo, whis- 
pers the Carlist colonel; then orders hoarsely: "Take 


MY lady’s banner. 


233 


him away! Ten minutes for his prayers, and then 
pasado por las armas! ” 

‘'My God! My wife!” shudders the Englishman, 
whose face has grown, at this sudden death sentence, 
pale as the ashes of the fate before him, and is dragged 
away. 

Then, looking after Evelyn, as he is hurried down 
the path half dazed, the Spaniard’s face is suddenly 
stricken with pallor, and he whispers to himself: “ Di- 
ablo! If Rufina ever knows!” But throwing away 
conscience, he laughs: “We die in a few hours, yet first 
one taste of Heaven ere I go to purgatory for my sins,” 
and commands the sergeant: “Take four files and 
conduct the woman spy to the cabin up the little gorge 
some fifty yards. There you will confine her until fur- 
ther orders which must all come from me! ” 

His eyes blaze with the fires of Satan. He mutters: 
“ Marion! This is no straight-laced England and rigid 
English law. In the pass of the Pyrenees there is no 
law save that of might, and for an hour or two I, the 
rejected Domingo, am your master.” 


2 34 


MY Indy's banner. 


CHAPTER XXI. 

THE FIGHT BY THE MOUNTAIN RIVER. 

Now this view of the matter seemed also to have 
entered the head of Don Fabricio as he looked at the 
prisoner’s pale but handsome face while the guards 
half lead, half dragged the Englishman down the rocky 
path, one or two more brutal than the rest urging 
him with the butts of their guns. 

The Spanish captain passes his hand over the scar 
upon his forehead; he hates the man who bestowed 
it, still he cannot help thinking something very un- 
pleasant may happen when the despot of the band 
learns that her lover has been done to death by him. 
‘‘ What will she of the mighty passions do to me if I 
execute the orders of Don Domingo,” he falters to 
himself. 

To Darley’s imploring voice begging: By the love 
of God, five minutes with my wife — just five minutes 
for farewell!” Fabricio replied sharply: '‘You heard 
my orders,” but still lingered in their execution. 

At the little cabin used as a guard-house, he de- 
lays while selecting the men to do the shooting, and 


MY lady's banner. 


235 


perchance is glad; for here excuse is given him to 
postpone entirely the commands of the bloodthirsty 
Domingo. 

Young Lieutenant Pachaco, who is now arising from 
a cat-nap and about to join his company at the front, 
hears Evelyn's voice again protesting against the mur- 
der to be done. The young Carlist having kindly 
feeling for his captive, cries : Courage, English- 
man! " and stepping up to Don Fabricio, speaks these 
words, '' Permit me, Sehor Capitan, to call attention to 
' Our Lady's ' order that no more executions take 
place without her sanction." 

Ah, you are a friend of this prisoner, Orfelo," re- 
plied Fabricio. You do this to save his life." 

No; to save yours, Senor Capitan, You know sud- 
den death comes to all who disobey the orders of ‘ Our 
Lady.' " 

Dios! You are right. I remember. I shall not 
execute, I shall merely confine this spy here in this 
cabin, and then when the soldiers of the usurper have 
driven us from here, as they probably will do, they 
will shoot him down without words, for they give no 
quarter." 

With this Fabricio passed his hand over his scarred 
forehead once more, smiled grimly upon his victim, 
and ordered him imprisoned in the little hut until the 
end of the engagement, which is now heralded by 
the distant report of both Carlist and Government skir- 


236 


MY lady's banner. 


mishers as they take pot shots at each other from each 
tree and boulder behind which they are concealed. 

Thus it transpires that while Evelyn Barley is im- 
prisoned in the little building further down the main 
valley, his wife, who knows nothing of her husband's 
fate, is hurried up the rocky trail, and as Don Do- 
mingo ordered, confined in a rude cabin in the ravine 
through which the mountain stream rushes down, 
eager to join the river below. 

Despite his struggles, Darley finds the shepherd's 
cot, from which its occupant, with his sheep and dogs, 
has fled to higher ranges to avoid the ravages of war, 
too strong to permit his escape. The stout stone walls 
of the rough tenement built to defy the mountain 
storm resist his efforts to penetrate them, and the 
strong door of tough Pyrenees oak, secured by pad- 
lock on the outside, defies his strength to move it; 
the roof, though only straw-thatched, is far too high 
for him to reach it, for the place is bare even of table 
and chairs, which have been torn up to make a camp- 
fire. 

So racked by the lesser anxiety for himself and the 
greater one for the wife of his love. Viscount Severne 
rests in gloomy silence until the sun, rising over the 
mountain tops, illuminates the valley beneath him. 
Then the sounds of the battle, which seem to be 
growing nearer, arouse the young man to look out 
upon a scene that would be lovely were it not 


MY LADY S BANNER. 


237 


made horrible by barbarous war and bloody combat. 

The little building is perched upon a mountain spur 
overlooking the vale of the Noguera river; therefore 
a narrow opening in its wall for light and air, the 
place having no windows, gives him view of the valley 
below. Some three miles to the west is the little Hos- 
pice de Paillas, its white walls glistening in the gleam- 
ing sun which is rising above the range at the back of 
the cabin in which Evelyn is imprisoned. Between 
him and the Hospice flows the mountain river upon its 
way to the soft waters of the Mediterranean. The 
valley, very narrow here and very rocky, as it is 
among the peaks of the Pyrenees, has but little vege- 
tation. By the running waters, a few firs and pines dot 
the greensward, upon which the shepherd used to 
graze his flocks. On both sides of the canon rise 
the rough mountains, steep, precipitous, naked. These 
are occupied by the Carlist band, less than five hun- 
dred now of the two thousand who had lived and 
cheered for their Lady but a week ago. 

The strongest portion of them is upon the side where 
Evelyn is imprisoned, for this must be defended to the 
last. If defeated, it is their one way to retreat; and 
that only to a safety that means their end as revolu- 
tionists. For this road leads to the Port d’Aula, be- 
hind which is the frontier of France, across which, 
should they be driven, these Carlists must throw 
down their arms and become no longer soldiers, mere- 
ly exiles. 


238 


MY lady’s banner. 


The young man, understanding pretty well the sit- 
uation from the remarks of some of the guards, looks 
out upon this prospect with eager anxiety. Carrying, 
as most Englishmen do, a strong field-glass, of which, 
in the hurry of his arrest, he has not been deprived, 
Evelyn places its strong lenses to his eyes. 

It brings very close to him a sight impressive, grand, 
majestic; that of a band of patriots who, believing their 
cause is just, are preparing to die for it. Their Basque 
and Catalonian natures, simple, devout, yet super- 
stitious, only ask that when they groan out their lives 
their spirits shall go to God; therefore these peasant 
warriors demand of their priests the consolations of 
their Church before their souls leave their bodies. 

So as they lie singly and in groups behind the rocks 
and trees scourged by the fire of the advancing Span- 
ish infantry, the priests pass among them, braving the 
bullets, and Evelyn can see the men telling their beads 
and saying their prayers, even as they take the lives of 
their enemies. Likewise, he notices sometimes a 
barefooted friar falling dead or wounded, as he gives 
the absolution of the Church to these mountaineers 
who fight the harder as they say their Pater Hosiers, 

In this line of skirmishers one figure catches the eye 
of the young man, and brings with it memories of the 
castle in Cornwall. A woman’s form, despite almost 
the garments of a man, graceful as a mountain sylph. 
For the upper part of the figure, magnificent in its 


MY lady's banner. 


239 


proportions and rounded in its symmetry, is clothed 
in the blouse of the ordinary soldier; from the belt 
that girds the lithe waist a short skirt descends nearly 
to the knees, beneath which heavy leather leggings 
cannot conceal the shapely legs, nor campaign shoes 
destroy the grace of the high-instepped little feet. 

This girl, or woman, has a commanding bearing. 
Upon her blouse are the insignia of military rank, 
though she kneels to accept the consolation of the 
Church, administered to her by a bare-footed Francis- 
can, as devoutly as any peasant who bears a musket 
for Don Carlos. All about obey her with a reverence 
that speaks not only the discipline of the soldier, but 
an adoration such as is only given to a holy leader 
in a patriot cause. 

As Evelyn gazes he sees the same look on the faces 
of these Basque mountaineers as were on the soldiers 
that followed the Maid of Orleans to battle with the 
chivalry of England. A second after one throws away 
his life to save hers as a Spanish volley tears up the 
ground about her. 

Viva Our Lady and her banner! is the cry of these 
dogged mountain peasants as they drive back the 
trained infantry of Spain, for two strong regiments of 
the line are attacking them in their front, and another 
one is clambering up the mountain side to both over- 
look and outflank them. 

But this movement, which if carried out will be 


240 


MY lady’s banner. 


fatal, is defeated by the woman leader. At her signal 
some hundred hardy Basques scale a cliff high up the 
mountain side, and making a fortress of this, scourge 
back the Regiment of Santander, w^ho are slower in 
their movements than mountaineers, who can climb 
like the wild goats of the Pyrenees. 

Then the firing slackens, the wolf has not yet closed 
his jaws upon the cat; the veteran Spanish infantry 
give slowly back. There is a lull before the storm 
breaks again. 

But this respite is not for long — a battery of rapid- 
fire Gatlings have obtained position upon the opposite 
mountain. This opens! Its pitiless rain of bullets 
keeps down the Carlist fire; the Spanish bugles once 
more sound the charge. Again the Regiment of San- 
tander essays the mountain side. 

This time, rendered cautious by heavy losses, it 
takes advantage of a ravine that, running up the range 
shields it from the direct fire of the Carlists on the 
cliff. Up this gorge the Spanish infantrymen clam- 
ber to a height that commands the rebel point of van- 
tage. Then the Gatlings from across the valley pelt 
with unceasing showers of leaden death its peasant 
holders, till, as the Regiment of Santander, deployed as 
skirmishers, crawling from rock to boulder, and from 
boulder to tree, overwhelms the mountaineers, who 
do not fly, but stand and fight till there are no more 
left of them to die. 


MY lady’s banner. 


241 


Then the Carlist post up the mountain side being- 
no more defended, the two regiments of regulars in 
the valley and on the lower slopes come on — steady 
and pitiless — slaughtering the rebel wounded as they 
gradually gain ground, for these troops are veterans 
of the '‘Ten Years’ War” in Cuba, and have potted 
many a Pacifico in the Marial swamp, and butchered 
many an island fugitive on the Montes Cobre. They 
have been educated to give no quarter. 

Assaulted by overwhelming numbers in front, and 
crushed by an enfilading fire from the mountain top 
which is lost to them, the Carlist band give back sul- 
lenly, doggedly, making each foot of ground cost a 
Spanish soldier’s life. But they do not fight with that 
wild ardour which had given them vantage in the first 
attack; they seem to lack both confidence and direction 
— the little garrison of the hillside cliff has never been 
reinforced — these peasants take no advantage of their 
enemies’ mistakes — they are without a leader. 

In vain Evelyn searches the fight, he sees no more 
the woman who had seemed to carry victory in her fair 
hand. 

A sudden sorrow flies through his heart. What 
man does not grieve a little for a woman who adores 
him — even though none of his passion answers her 
ardour or caresses. Young Barley gasps: "Rufina! 
She is dead! Since the last attack she is no more in 
the front rank of her people — that is why they despair.” 


242 


MY lady's banner. 


CHAPTER XXII. 

THE AGONY OP “ OUR LADY.” 

But Dona Rufina lived. Her absence from the bat- 
tle had been brought about by the agency of a very 
little thing — a cigar. 

In the lull of the firing, after the repulse of the first 
attack, Rufina, as she went about encouraging her men, 
chanced to come upon young Pachaco, who was lolling 
behind a huge rock just in the rear of his company, 
and smoking a cigar contentedly. 

'' Good morning, Don Orfelo,” said the Senora 
graciously. 

'' My Lady, I kiss your hand,” answered the lieu- 
tenant, rising and saluting. 

You are still unwounded, I hope.” 

Yes, and very comfortable, honored Doha.” 

Dios, you should be comfortable, smoking a cigar. 
Oh, how I envy you ! ” cried Rufina, longingly. '' A 
cigarette has not passed my lips this accursed week. I 
lost every cigarrillo when our camp equipage was 
abandoned.” 

'' Will Our Lady honor me by accepting an Im- 


MY lady’s banner. 


243 


perial?” murmured the Carlist lieutenant. ''I have 
another.” 

Will I smoke? Diablo, will I not smoke? Gracias 
Caballero, it is next to the breath of life!” And the 
Amazon placed a big Imperial between her patrician 
lips, and lighting it with the air of an accomplished 
smoker, puffed contentedly though a few Spanish bul- 
lets splintered the rocks around her. Then she ques- 
tioned suddenly: What good fortune brought this di- 
vine thing to you, lucky Orfelo? ” 

This cigar,” said the young man, I received from 
the husband of the handsome Englishwoman.” 

The Englishwoman!” exclaimed Rufina, as- 
tounded. Her face grew gloomy. Handsome Eng- 
lish women are rather a bad omen to me,” she mut- 
tered. Then she questioned rapidly: Where did you 
encounter this Englishwoman?” 

And as Orfelo tells his story, Rufina’s eyes begin to 
sparkle, an agony comes into her face, his description 
of the lady is so much like Marion Wilton. 

The same grey eyes, the same fair hair, the same 
graceful, clinging beauty,” she murmurs to herself; 
then eagerly, almost affrightedly demands: Her 
name? ” 

“ Lady Severne.” 

Ah-h-h ! ” A sigh of relief comes from lips 
which had grown pale. 

Dios de mi Madre,yovi are not wounded, Lady of 


244 


MY lady’s banner. 


our Band!’’ cries Ae lieutenant, affrighted, her agi- 
tation has been so great. 

No, not a scratch. Santa Marian I bear a charmed 
life, Orfelo,” laughs Rufina. Though the usurper’s 
sharpshooters keep an eye on me.” 

She places on the end of her sabre a coquettish som- 
brero tipped with an eagle’s feather, and pokes this 
above the boulder that shields her companion and 
herself. A moment later she brings it down, looks at 
it, and exclaims: Santos, I am extravagant! Here 
is a two hundred-franc creation of Virot’s made into a 
cullander. That will be a warning to you to be 
cautious, young man. We shall have fifteen minutes 
of rest before the infantry of our tyrant again attacks 
us, and ” She throws herself down carelessly be- 

side him and smokes her cigar contentedly in the 
shadov/ of death. 

After blowing up a few blue wreaths between her 
white teeth, she remarks: “ The husband of this beau- 
tiful Englishwoman, what of him after he gave you the 
cigar and he and his wife were brought to our camp- 
fires?” 

Oh, Lord Severne! ” returns the lieutenant. “ He 
has been denounced as a spy by — by your brother.” 

Yes, Domingo hates all Englishmen for the sake 
of one.” Then she suddenly exclaims: '' But my orders 
are that no prisoner shall be shot without I know it! ” 

Don Domingo did order him shot, but I- 


re- 


MY lady’s banner. 


245 


plies Orfelo, '' showed Don Fabricio, the captain o^ 
the day, that it would be well for him to keep the fusil- 
lade until he heard from you.” 

My brother shall hear from me for disregarding 
my orders! Does he not know that he is as subject 
to my military discipline as any peasant who holds a 
rifle under me? Besides, why is not Don Domingo 
here to take his place in the line of battle, Senor? ” 

I do not know, my lady.” 

My Heaven, maybe Domingo is wounded! 0 
Madre, he may be killed! Orfelo, keep a sharp eye 
on the enemy, they will be moving soon. If so, report 
them to me at once.” 

And she glides away cautiously and skillfully, pro- 
tecting herself from Spanish bullets with the agility of 
a chamois hunter, for Dona Rufina has been in Carlist 
wars before. To her enquiries among the men as to her 
absent brother, she gets no response till one of the 
soldiers who chanced to have seen the affair, replies, 
saluting, ‘‘ My Lady, thy brother has gone to say his 
prayers to the beautiful Englishwoman confined in 
the hut by the mountain stream.” 

'‘Not in the line of battle! Condemned her hus- 
band to be shot! Dios^ the infamous one!” mutters 
Rufina to herself. " Deserting his post for the love 
of bright eyes. For the good name of our house, no 
harm must come to this poor English girl. Her love- 
liness must be as sacred in the Pyrenees as in England 


246 


MY lady’s banner. 


itself. No shame must come upon the followers of 
Don Carlos. Our dying cause is too holy a one to be 
desecrated by an outrage upon unprotected beauty.” 

With this idea, looking across at the Spanish lines, 
she thinks she will have time enough, and calling some 
half dozen men to attend her, flies up the mountain 
path intent upon saving one of her sex from the 
brother whose passions she knows are as great as her 
own, and whose honesty and nobility of soul are much 
less. 

^ ^ ^ 

In the cabin up the mountain beside the rushing tor- 
rent Marion is well shielded from the dangers of the 
fight below, for the little ravine in which the hut rests 
runs at right angles to the main valley, and its pre- 
cipitous sides permit the entry of no bullets, the flight 
of these being at right angles to it. 

For one moment Lady Severne, as she was led to 
this place by the Carlist soldiers, thought it was for her 
safety. But this idea lasted scarcely a minute. She 
has not been permitted to see her husband, neither 
have the soldiers who have placed her in this retreatj 
been over-punctilious, but have rather roughly hurried 
her up the path. As the English girl has stepped into 
the forlorn, desolate hut, whose only furniture is a pile 
of straw, and whose only comfort is the embers of a 
half-expired fire upon the rude clay hearth, she has 
heard one of the men in his patois call her a woman 


MY LADY S BANNER. 


247 


Spy. With this an inkling of her situation flies to her, 
faint and dim at first, but reinforced as she springs to 
the door and finds the oaken barrier to her escape 
closed. She hears the heavy beam which secures it on 
the outside dropped into position. Flying to the little 
orifice which serves as a window, she cries to the men: 
‘‘ Senors, what mean you? You have called me a spy; 
do you call my husband likewise? ’’ 

“ Siy Sehora Ingles Espia? '' 

“ My husband is imprisoned also? ’’ 

No! Diablo y the male bird is to be shot! ’’ guffaws 
a retreating Carlist. 

‘'Oh, Heaven! You know not what you do!” 
screams the frantic girl. “ Shot! Evelyn, my adored! 
My husband! ” 

With her delicate hands she strives to force open the 
heavy door, but only bruises her slight fingers against 
its oaken planks. She must get out! She must tell 
them the truth before — oh, merciful heaven! — they 
shoot him. And every dropping shot that comes from 
the skirmishers in the valley below seems to her the 
fusillade of death for the being she loves. 

This anguish is interrupted by another — perchance 
a more cruel one. Even as she struggles with the 
door she hears the bolts removed and sees before her a 
Carlist officer. 

For a moment, in its bronze of summer campaign 
and full Alva-beard, she does not recognize the face. 


248 


MY LADY S BANNER. 


But he salutes her, saying: Do not you recollect 
me, Marion? Don’t you remember your old adorer? ” 

“ Oh, Heaven must have sent you to me, Don Do- 
mingo. My husband! They are going to shoot him! 
In the valley! They have mistaken him for a spy! 
Save him ! ” 

‘‘ It was on his account that I came to you, mi 
queridaJ^ 

God bless you! ” In her anguish she scarce notes 
the ardour of his address. 

The circumstances under which your husband was 
arrested are er — er — very serious. His French pass- 
port describes him as Lord Severne. I know him to 
be Evelyn Darley.” 

‘‘ Yes; but that title has come to him since we were 
married. Flave you not heard of our good fortune? 
And now it is going to kill him! ” she wails; then cries: 

Run! Tell them they are mistaken! ” 

I fear there is no mistake! ” 

Yes, there is! They will listen to you. You are 
an officer!” 

‘‘ I command here.” 

‘‘ Oh, God be praised! Fly and save him! ” 

It was upon my orders he was condemned.” 

I — I cannot understand you.” Marion’s pale face 
twitches with anxious astonishment. 

Ah, but you will soon, nina de mis ojos! ” replies 
Domingo. 


MY lady’s banner. 


249 


His tone is eager, his eyes blazing. The fresh yet 
delicate beauty of Lady Severne is even more alluring 
to the Spaniard than had been the more immature 
charms of Marion Wilton. The light graces of her 
figure have developed into the fuller contours of su- 
perb womanhood — the face has more soul in it, there- 
fore it can have greater passion — the rosebud has ex- 
panded till it is the perfect flower — one he would pluck 
with sacrilegious hand. 

Desperation has added a brightness to Marion’s eyes 
and a vivacious nervousness to each gesture of the 
rounded arms, each pose of the exquisite figure — her 
every loveliness defeats her pleadings with this ardent 
ruffian. He whispers: ‘‘You and you only can save 
your husband.” 

“I! How? Quick! Let us go!” 

“ To save him you must remain here.” 

“ Then you will go? ” 

“ Not at present, mi alma! Not till you give me the 
love you spurned in faraway England. Not till you 
sacrifice something to make me forget in rapture I am 
a traitor to our cause in permitting the spy to escape, 
because I love you.” 

“ You must be mad! ” cries the girl. “ Wedded to 
him, how can I love you — or any other man than he 
who has my vows? ” 

“ Sapristi, simple one, you have visited Paris since 
you have married; there you must have become worn- 


250 


MY lady's banner. 


an of the world enough to know that ladies love other 
Caballeros than their husbands." Don Domingo's arm 
seeks to encircle the loveliness he craves. 

Infamous! " shudders the girl, retreating a step or 
two from the burning lips that seek hers so eagerly. 
'' I " Her face, which has been very pale, be- 

comes of a sudden blazing red with the blush of af- 
frighted innocence. Her hands fly to hide her eyes, 
for now she understands. To her anguish is added 
shame. 

'' CielOy you understand. Answer, my beautiful one! 
You will be kind to him who adores you. Speak quick- 
ly. The battle is beginning below. I must join my 
men. If you will love me now, I will forget your 
cruelty of two years ago, and save your husband. Ah, 
Dios! you yield to my love at last." For Marion is 
nearly fainting. 

But she springs away from him; then turns, like Di- 
ana at bay, and shudders : ‘‘ That would give death 
to both of us! After my shame Evelyn would not 
wish for life and I should pray for death! Your mercy 
is more cruel than your vengeance. You, who call 
yourself a gentleman, are worse than Pepe, the bandit; 
he would have only robbed me of my diamonds." The 
girl's Saxon eyes have become haughty yet glittering. 
She cries, hoarsely: ''You have called my husband a 
spy, then I am also a spy! If he is to die, I can die 
with him. Out of my way, you Spanish cur ! " 


MY lady’s banner. 


251 


And Don Domingo does get out of her way, for a 
savage yet musical voice, speaking from the entrance 
of the cabin, commands: Out of my way also, Span- 
ish cur! I call you that though you are my brother. 
You are absent from your post during the hour of bat- 
tle! For this I should shoot you down with my re- 
volver as you cringe before me here.” 

You give me a dog’s death,” snarls Don Domingo, 
and he looks as though he would oppose her authority, 
but the soldiers who have followed their lady up the 
mountain path even at his rebellious glance cock their 
rifles, and the colonel knows that .a single movement 
on his part or at a single word from their woman chief- 
tain will shoot him. 

Not so, my brother,” says his sister. '' Though you 
merit it, my hand shall not be covered with your blood. 
Join your command, step into the front rank, fight for 
your king, and if God gives you death I will forgive 
you.” 

‘‘ But if I come back alive? ” 

Then — military punishment. I doom you to die 
for our cause! Let a soldier’s fate palliate the infamy 
of your last hour upon earth. Go! ” Rufina, who has 
not entered the cabin as yet, points towards the line 
of battle. 

^'Diablo/' mutters Domingo, ''I must die!” He 
reads that in Rufina’s eyes as she directs her men to 
see the colonel into the front rank of the fight. 


252 


MY LADY S BANNER. 


'' AdioSy my sister/' he murmurs, and kissing the 
stern hand that indicates the way to death, strides 
down tfie path. 

'' Por DioSy^ he cogitates, as he walks. She means 
what she says." A sinister smile runs over his 
swarthy features, he laughs to himself in a despairing 
jocularity. She does not yet know the woman she 
has saved. She does not guess who is the spy I or- 
dered shot below. Mi hermanay your despair will be 
greater than mine — when you learn." Suddenly he 
guffaws: Diablo y she knows now! " For a scream as 
if a woman's heart were breaking comes echoing from 
the cabin up the ravine. 

Within its portal the two women are facing each 
other, and one has cried Marion! " the other Ru- 
fina!" and Lady Diarrogh's voice has grown 
nervous and sharp with sudden agony as she falters: 

The man who is to be shot as a spy? The man for 
whose life you were to give your love to my brother 


“ My husband! " 

Santissima! Evelyn! The man I love! Killed 
by that infamous one! The soldiers said that they 
were to shoot a spy! " Then she remembers how ab- 
solute she is, and laughs : '' Ah, but it was against my 
orders, and my orders are obeyed! Thy husband 
lives, girl! " 

‘'God be praised! You are sure?" 


MY lady’s banner. 


253 


Certain as that every peasant of my band would die 
for me! Quick! Follow me! Do you fear bullets? ” 
For the man I love! ” cries the English girl. '' No 
more than you.” 

Then come with me.” 

The two women run down the path to where it 
opens on the valley — the combat is before them. 

Suddenly Rufina pauses, her eyes glaze with dread 
and horror. She whispers: Too late — my brother 
has killed thy husband! ” 

How? — tell me! ” shrieks the English wife. 

See that cabin far down the mountain path — the 
one upon which the Spanish troops are advancing — 
the one from about which my peasants are being 
driven! In that the man we love is held — when the 
troops of our tyrant capture it — ay de mi! — they will 
kill all living men about it.” 

‘‘Impossible! Evelyn is English — anon-combat- 
ant!” 

Diablo! These regiments have fought Filipinos 
and Cubans — they have been taught to make no pris- 
oners — they — Oh, Madre de Dios, my boys give back! ” 
“ It is because you do not lead them. Lady of our 
hearts,” mutters a wounded peasant, gloomily. 

“ Not lead them? Look on me! See Dona Rufina 
strike one more blow for her cause and her love! ” 
She is in the front rank of the fight. Her Basques 
cry: “ Viva Nostra Madre!'' and rally. 


254 


MY lady's banner. 


Follow me to that cabin," she commands. 

Holy Virgin! The whole Regiment of Tarragona 

is about it " 

‘^Follow me." 

To the death! " they cry, and follow her. 


MY lady’s banner. 


255 


CHAPTER XXIII. 

‘‘ THIS IS MY love! ” 

By this time the young Englishman also thoroughly 
appreciates his desperate strait. He has watched the 
Carlist defence, undirected, desultory, drift down the 
valley nearer to him with each charge, closer to him 
with each volley. Imprisoned in the shepherd’s hut, 
Evelyn can neither fight nor fly. 

Remembering Don Fabricio’s sneering suggestion 
that the Spanish regulars will ask no questions but 
butcher him as he has seen them do all others who have 
fallen into their hands this day. Lord Severne guesses 
there is for him no hope, and his heart grows cold as 
he thinks, Is there no hope for her? My wife! Mar- 
ion! What infamy of providence has brought her to a 
cruel death or worse? When I am gone who will pro- 
tect her?” To this he adds, grimly: ''That won’t be 
long.” 

For the combat has come very close to him; the 
Carlist peasants are giving back more rapidly and 
more easily than they had in the first few minutes of 
their retreat. 

" My fate is upon me,” he thinks, as a bullet chips 


MY lady’s banner. 


256 

off a piece of stone that bounds the orifice through 
which he peers. The shepherd’s hut is now in the 
peasant’s skirmish line; the Spanish troops think it 
must be occupied by their enemies, and the rapid-fire 
guns from higher up the slope shower it with Gatling- 
bolts. These piercing the thatched roof as if it were 
so much paper, make the place an inferno of splashing 
lead and splintering stone. Were the hut not built 
into the mountain, Darley would not exist ten seconds ; 
but crouched behind the wall embedded in the hill, 
these bullets scream over him, scourging the other side 
of the cabin. Suddenly this hail ceases. The crouch- 
ing man springs up, looks through the orifice, and sees 
right under his eyes a very dark and bloody scene. 
The machine-gun fire has stopped because the Spanish 
troops now surround the cabin. Six or seven wounded 
Carlists, as they lie outside, Evelyn sees bayoneted. 
Already one or two dark faces are peering into the 
holes in the stone wall seeking for victims inside the 
hut. The blackness of the interior defeats them. In 
the gloom they can not discover the crouching man. 

A moment after the Englishman mutters, My time 
has come,” as he hears the Spanish soldiers forcing the 
door. Suddenly the volley firing of the Government 
troops becomes heavier, as if at last they had found 
something better than rocks to shoot at. 

A sergeant cries, That she-devil again! She is 
leading them once morel ” 


MY lady’s banner. 


257 


A private shouts, ‘‘ The witch ! The leadproof witch 
who no sharpshooter can hit. Carre jo, they are charg- 
ing with her at the head of ’em! ” 

The next second there is a hand-to-hand fight all 
about the little cabin ; its door is forced as by a batter- 
ing-ram, the hut is crowded with peasant warriors. 

Heading them is a wild-eyed Amazon, who cries: 
‘‘ My Evelyn ! Alive ! Thank God, thy Rufina is at thy 
side! ” And the mountain nymph, looking like a 
goddess of victory, but smeared with blood like a 
butcher’s boy, presses sweet, warm, passionate lips 
upon his; for he is too dazed to do aught but gaze at 
her. 

This lasts scarcely a moment. 

The Spanish troops having been driven back, and the 
Carlists having once more retaken the hut, the Gatlings 
on the mountain side again open on the shepherd’s cot. 
The peasants fall dead or retreat from it. He holds her 
in his embrace crouched behind the wall, below the 
line of Spanish fire. As the bullets sizz over them she 
gives him a kiss and laughs, Courage, Evelyn, cour- 
age! Thy Rufina is with thee! Thy Rufina saves 
thee! Caramba, beautiful one, courage! ” Then sud- 
denly she sighs: Ay de mi, you — you will have to 
carry me back.” 

Good Heavens, you are wounded ! ” 

‘‘ Ah, yes, a — a little — That — that machine gun 
up on the hill.” 


258 


MY LADY S BANNER. 


'' Then I will save you! ” 

Taking her in his arms, Evelyn gets her from the 
hut scourged by the fire of the machine guns and Span- 
ish infantry. 

I — I am too heavy. You will lose your life. Leav« 
me, mi querida/* 

Leave you, who braved death for me? That is not 
our English way.” 

I — I am very heavy.” 

‘‘ H-m-m, light as a mountain sylph! ” In the ex- 
citement he feels her one hundred and fifty pounds of 
beauty no more than the weight of a schoolroom chit, 
as he lightly and tenderly carries her from rock to rock, 
from tree to tree. 

So by God’s blessing he comes* back alive into the 
Carlist line, bearing the girl they call their chieftain. 

And she is whispering to him, laughing and mur- 
muring: '' In your arms at last, my beautiful Saxon, 
whose fair head the dark-browed Senorita loves — but 
not for long. Your wife is just up the trail. Here, 
Marion, take him ! I must go with my lads again.” 

Rufina struggles up and tries to stagger to the fight, 
for her peasants are being once more driven back. 
Their goddess is wounded, despair has come upon 
them; the Spanish infantry are moving up more 
irresistibly than before, and the Gatlings rushed along 
the mountain side pelt them from above more merci- 
lessly in their retreat than in their advance. 


MY lady’s banner. 


259 


So bearing on a litter made of rough boughs their 
wounded mistress, the Carlists speed through the dizzy 
defiles of the mountains making for the Port cf Aula. 
The French frontier is before them; within it is safety; 
but across it they are no more soldiers, simply refu- 
gees. 

‘‘ Make one more stand ! ” begs their Lady, as they 
bear her along. ‘‘ One more stand upon this ground, 
the last upon which we can fight as followers of Don 
Carlos ! ” 

They halt and, throwing up entrenchments on the 
precipice that flanks the narrow trail, stand at bay. But 
their enemy does not approach immediately; taught 
by their awful losses, these regiments have learned to 
be wary of these depairing peasants. Without food 
this Carlist band must in a day or two disperse, to 
live. 

Noting the respite, Rufina half rises in her litter. 

‘‘Now — now I have time to save you!” she whis- 
pers to Evelyn and Marion as they bend beside her. 

“ Save us? You have saved us! ” 

“No; not yet. My brother still lives. I can see his 
cruel face scowling behind the last of the rear guard. 
When I die — ^ — ” 

“ Die! ” gasps Marion. 

“ Yes. Santos, I have shot enough in me to kill a 
dozen men generals,” jeers the lady chieftain. “ Every 
step as I have been brought here has caused me drops 


26 o 


MY lady's banner. 


of blood — internal hemorrhage, I think a doctor would 
call it — if we had one — but our only apothecary was 
slain a week ago." 

Her voice is so faint, Evelyn shudders. He guesses 
she has told the truth. 

'' When I am dead," continues Rufina, my brother 
will command, and then I fear for the man he calls the 
English spy, and the woman whose beauty has made 
him a devil. Here, my men!" she calls aloud, but 
gasps doing it. Bring Don Domingo before me. 
There he is, skulking by the side of that fir tree — talk- 
ing to a fellow whose bad face I have seen before — 
some ruffian who fears the troops of the tyrant more 
than he does us." 

Though he would make resistance, Don Domingo is 
led to her, and with him the man who has been in con- 
sultation with him. 

This fellow, with a red necktie, big jack postilion 
boots, and long heavy Spanish spurs, has been whis- 
pering to him : I did it at the hint of Dona Mercedes. 
I have placed these people in your hands. This man 
you hate. This woman, whose beauty you love, whose 
diamonds I love — she carries them in her satchel 
slung from her shoulder. Give me her plunder; you 
take what you love best." 

To them, as they stand scowling before her, Rufina 
says: ‘‘ Before I die " 

At this, her peasants cross themselves and moan 


MY LADY S BANNER. 


261 


‘‘ God forbid,” and tears roll down seamed faces of 
hardy mountaineers. 

“ Before I die — justice! My brother, condemned by 
the laws of war to death for deserting your place in the 
line of battle, condemned by the laws of God for using 
military power to destroy the innocence of woman- 
hood, you have come back alive from a battle in which 
I sentenced you to die. I keep my word. Take 
him away and shoot him to death.” 

At this Domingo, whose face has grown pallid, 
his eyes bright with despair, snarls: '‘Will you obey 
this dying woman? ” then cries: " Who’ll dare lay their 
hands upon a colonel of Don Carlos?” and there is 
some dissent from one or two officers. 

But she gasps : " Obey me, caballeros, or you die, 
likewise. Do my bidding, peasants; you at least are 
true! ” she says to the mountaineers. 

" Aye, that we are! ” cries Sergeant Valdez. " Every 
man of us.” And despite his struggles and his threats, 
they drag away Domingo. 

Then she turns upon the other man brought before 
her. 

" Pepe Tomas,” she begins, " I know you, and I 
have heard from young Pachaco — who, bless God, 
still lives — of your crime against the man I love. I 
know you. You are the last bandit in the Pyrenees.” 

" And you,” growls the postilion, surlily, " are the 
last Carlist.” 


262 


MY lady’s banner. 


And the last Carlist makes an end of the last ban- 
dit! ” she jeers. Breconridgel ” she calls. 

The dumb servitor kneels before her and kisses her 
hand, the tears streaming down his scarred cheeks. 

Take this ruffian away and hang him to that tall 
fir tree.” 

To her command the silent jaws wag together, seem- 
ing to answer: '' Aye, that I will, or any other word of 
yours, my beloved mistress.” 

The dumb one seizes in his grasp the weazened form 
of the screaming Pepe. 

Suddenly the subdued sound of six rifle shots echo 
up the gorge. 

‘‘ That volley makes me know my brother is dead 
and that the man I love is safe! ” she whispers. '' I — 
this has exhausted me. Lovell — but he was slain 
three days agone. Orfelo, to my side. Promise me 
on your word of honour to guard this gentleman and 
lady across the frontier; it is but a hundred yards. 
Swear to me that their lives will be safe when I am 
dead.” 

‘‘ Dead ! ” cries Evelyn, kneeling beside her litter. 

You must not die.” 

‘‘ Ah,” whispers Marion, you have saved my hus- 
band for me with your own life. Be happy with us. 
Rufina — dear Rufina, live and be happy with us ! ” 

‘‘ Bah! would you give him to my arms? Ah, blonde- 
haired one, you shudder at the thought! Live — and 


MY lady's banner. 


263 


be happy! Bosh! There is no joy in living when one 
has loved as I have and lost as I have. Evelyn, I — I 
cannot see very well." The glorious eyes are growing 
' dim. 

The Englishman silently takes her hand that seems • 
to grope for him. 

‘‘ Evelyn," she gasps, my Saxon boy, fair-haired, 
bright-eyed, with passion cold as a diamond, while 
mine for you is ruby as my blood, once it would have 
been rapture to live for you if you had — had loved me." 

Her breath comes fluttering from her full lips, whose 
bright crimson has already turned to pallid grey. 

“ Let me feel your breath and know Tve saved you." 
Her arms get round him. “ Diablo, it was happiness to 
spill my blood that yours might remain in the fair, 
strong body that I love. It was joy to fight for you; 
it was beatific to kill for you ; but caramba, it is ecstasy 
to die for you! That is my love! " 

My lady’s banner flutters down and flies at half- 
mast. 

Half an hour afterward Barley bears a woman’s 
body tenderly in his arms across the frontier, away 
from bloodshed, far from war, into the quiet and the 
peace of the fair land of France. 

The next morning they are in the pretty little town 
of Castellon, with the tricolour flying over it. 

Little Harcourt, who has journeyed round from Lur 
chon, prattles to Lord Severne on the veranda of the 


264 MY lady’s banner. 

hotel: ‘‘Yes, dear boy, we hunted all over the moun- 
tains for you. There was a devil of a row when you 
disappeared, you and your beautiful wife. They tell 
me the Lady of the Revolution died for you ! Ah — er 
— we Anglo-Saxons are too philosophic to go into such 
paroxysms of passion about anyone — even ourselves. 
Oh, don’t shake your head. Don’t flatter yourself 
your wife. Lady Severne, would have taken up such 
tantrums about you, my boy. Not quite the proper 
form.” 

But even as he speaks in the little room above a 
beautiful Englishwoman is bending over the corpse of 
a beautiful Spanish one, and weeping very bitter tears 
because her rival has been taken away from earth. 


FINIS. 


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The field of this work is practically a new one for fiction, 
much of the action of the story taking place in Manila and the 
interior of Luzon, beginning at the outbreak of the first rebellion 
of Aguinaldo and the Katipunan, and ending upon the surren- 
der of Manila to the Americans under Dewey and Merritt. 

The story deals chiefly with the fate of two young ladies, 
the daughters of an expatriated American sea-captain, who has 
given up his nationality to become a subject of Spain, in order 
to hold some very valuable tobacco plantations in the^Philippines 
that have come to him from his wife, a Spanish heiress of Nueva 
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Connected with this is the effort of the Germans to obtain a 
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beautiful semi-American young ladies. 

The situations in the two chapters entitled Wedded by 
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days, the Supreme Court of Manila, and how Captain Roberto 
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woman he adored to the arms of,another, 

Intimately connected with these events are the adventures 
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spite of Spanish power, the two young ladies who are afiSanced 
to them. 

The peculiar novelty of the plot, diversified as it is by the 
devotion of the wild Tagal insurgent, Ata Tonga, and combined 
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